The school partnered with Starship Technologies to deploy a fleet of zero-emission, AI-powered robots that can navigate sidewalks, climb curbs, and even handle Florida’s frequent rain.
How the Service Works
- The App: Students and faculty use the Starship Food Delivery app to place orders and “drop a pin” for their exact location on campus.
- The Fleet: The robots use a combination of machine learning, 12 cameras, and radar to map their surroundings to the nearest inch.
- Unlocking: When the robot arrives, the user receives an alert and uses the app to unlock the lid and retrieve their meal.
Participating Restaurants
The service initially launched with three main campus hubs:
- Einstein Bros. Bagels
- Mosaic Café
- Fire & Ash
Why It’s a Big Deal for Florida Poly
Beyond the convenience of getting a latte or burrito delivered to a lab, Florida Poly is the first in the nation to integrate Starship’s new point-of-sale system. This connects the robots directly with the university’s dining system, allowing students to use their Phoenix Funds and meal exchanges just as they would at a physical kiosk.
Given your interest in the local business growth and tech updates around Lakeland, this is a pretty significant milestone for the “high-tech” reputation of the university!