A new scheme to deliver groceries by robot has been hit by a glitch, with a video popping up of a ‘lost’ robot getting stuck on a curb.
The robots have become a family haunt in suburban Sale after the Co-op scheme in conjunction with Trafford Council and robot maker Starship.
But the scheme has been affected by an initial problem. Video has emerged of one of the robots appearing to “get lost” and then getting stuck while trying to negotiate a high sidewalk on Friday night.
READ MORE: Blood-stained door pictured at the ‘riot’ scene when three people were injured after being stabbed
A spokesman for Starship Technologies, which operates globally, stressed that its robots, which use “artificial intelligence,” were still “getting to know the neighborhood.”
Call center worker Danielle Dennis, 24, sent MEN a video of one of the robots appearing to get into trouble on Ascot Avenue in Sale on Friday night.
His video shows the robot struggling to get onto a pavement, and it sure gets stuck.
She said: “We were watching it for about five minutes before the video started and it looked like it was lost. It just kept spinning. It moved across about five houses in that time.”
When asked about the moment he got stuck on the curb, Danielle said: “I was going to go out and help him at first, but I didn’t want to set off any alarms. He was just stuck against the curb.”
“You can probably hear in the video that we were laughing at the beginning because of the situation, but it’s a bit of a concern going forward if it’s not smart enough to spot a curb or get over it. I don’t think it’s going to work. It’s just been working a few days. I don’t really have much confidence in him to be honest.”
Danielle questioned whether the intended customer actually got their purchases.
But Starship Technologies said the robots could be operated remotely if they ran into difficulties.
A spokesperson told MEN: “Our robots have just launched in Trafford and are busy getting to know the neighbourhood. Of course, a new area always requires adjustment as they find their way, and they learn with every journey.”
“Our robots make more than 140,000 road crossings every day around the world, almost one every three seconds, using a combination of sensors, artificial intelligence and machine learning to navigate safely.
“Most of these crossings are done autonomously, but on the rare occasions assistance is required, the robots can be monitored remotely. We are absolutely delighted with the overwhelmingly positive response we have received from the local community since we started. to operate in Greater Manchester.”
The box-shaped robots were first seen on the streets of Sale following the official launch on Wednesday, March 15.
The scheme is a partnership between Starship, Trafford Council and Co-op. Currently, up to 24,000 residents have access to the service with two Sale Co-op stores currently involved, Washway Road and Coppice Avenue.
Orders are placed through an app before being stored on the robot and delivered to properties. Groceries are safely locked inside the robot which has a ‘robust’ security system before traveling down the sidewalks to their destination.
Launching the scheme on Wednesday, Councilor Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s executive member for environmental services, said: “Robots are great fun and it will be great to see them hit the streets of the borough. But there is a more serious situation.” message here – Trafford Council is fully committed to helping the environment and reducing our carbon emissions and electric robots could well contribute to those goals.
“So instead of driving to the cooperatives involved in the scheme, why not leave the car at home and have a friendly robot deliver your groceries?”
Andrew Curtis, UK operations manager at Starship Technologies, said at the time: “We are very pleased to offer the benefits of autonomous delivery to thousands of residents in Greater Manchester from today and continue our expansion in northern England – Robots bring ease and comfort for people, while also contributing positively to reducing congestion and carbon emissions.
“We are confident the service will be well received and look forward to a long-standing relationship with Trafford City Council to hopefully roll out the service further in the coming months.”
The co-op declined to comment on the ‘stuck’ robot, but Chris Conway, the grocery store’s director of e-commerce, said at the launch: “Co-op stores are well placed in the heart of local communities to provide delivery to quick, easy and convenient delivery – whether it’s a full store or last minute recharges We are committed to exploring new and innovative ways to increase access to our products and services and are delighted to be able to deploy autonomous robots on the streets of Greater Manchester .”
Read more of today’s top news here
READ NEXT: