The six-wheeled, knee-high robots from startup Starship Technologies are part of a new wave of automated systems taking aim at the "last mile" delivery of goods to consumers. "We're trying to solve real social and economic problems," Harris-Burland said during a demonstration of the delivery bots in Washington. The rolling robots are far less expensive to build and operate than drones and face fewer regulatory issues. The Starship robots, which look like high-tech plastic picnic coolers, can carry about 20 pounds (nine kilograms) of goods, suited to three to four grocery bags. Another California firm, Savioke, has agreed to provide delivery bots to hotels and apartment complexes.

Source: The Star February 01, 2017 03:00 UTC