UNCW has a new food delivery system: Starship robots. These mobile robots serve as on-campus food delivery. Now — three weeks into the fall semester — they are ready for action. Students can order delivery from their Grubhub app and possibly receive their order in a rolling Starship robot.
This summer UNCW Dining teased these robots on their Instagram: “Something BIG (and tiny) is rolling on to campus… Starting Fall 2025, get your go-to drinks, snacks and meals delivered straight to where you are on campus, by our NEW Starship Robots!” While it took the robots a week after the semester started to be in use, they started by delivering Starbucks.
Students may have seen a robot zoom by on Chancellor’s Walk or see them sitting outside of Dunkin Donuts. These robots are certainly entertaining, but are they necessary? After relishing in the excitement of these “cute little guys,” I invested an afternoon into finding out what these robots are really like; and if they’re worth the $3.49 delivery fee.
At 12:56 p.m. I placed a Grubhub delivery order from Starbucks to my on-campus housing at Seahawk Crossing. Starbucks was chosen at the time because it was the only delivery option available. My order: Grande Iced Caramel Macchiato with caramel drizzle and one shot of espresso. At 1:24 p.m. my Grubhub app alerted me that 6E563 was heading my way. I was able to track my robot across campus (which was very enjoyable) as it made its way to me.
Due to the availability of the map, I was able to see where my robot was and, unfortunately, I watched as it got stuck and delayed. My delivery seemed to be stuck by the UNCW Student Recreation Center for about 10 minutes. At 1:52 p.m. the robot pulled up outside of my residence and I walked outside to retrieve my drink. From the time I was alerted that my robot was on the way to the time it arrived was 28 minutes. This unfortunately did mean that the ice in my drink melted; but it would also have taken me 30 minutes to walk to Starbucks and back from my residence. All was forgiven when my robot thanked me after I signaled for it to leave on my Grubhub app.
This new system is certain to raise concerns and gain skeptics. Anyone worried about their order getting stolen by another hungry college student should know that the robots will not open unless the person who placed the order confirms that they have found their order on their phone. The robots have tracking devices which should prevent any theft of the robots themselves. Additionally, the inside of the robots have actual cupholders to keep drinks right-side up.
Starship Technologies’ website says that the robots have a “bubble of awareness” that prevents them from running into people or objects. The robots are currently on over 60 university campuses, and available to 1.5 million students.
The potential for these robots is vast. While paying a delivery fee for a Starbucks drink is not something I personally will be doing, a $3 delivery fee paid in food dollars for dinner while I am sick would certainly be worth it. These robots could be a go to for students living on campus, if they are able to get to locations quicker and more dining options are added.
Luckily for students, UNCW does plan to use the robots in the future at multiple retail dining locations, but is slowly acclimating them to campus to “not overwhelm them or the staff,” said Megan Allred, Director of Business Services Communication & Strategy, who works closely with UNCW Dining.
The ease with which students can order a Starship robot is the delivery feature’s biggest perk. It is as easy as placing an order on Grubhub and going out to meet your delivery driver when it arrives. Much less walking, no need to socialize, and no need to wait in line. UNCW Dining posted an easy how-to video, showing off how simple it is to use this new program.
It is clear that these robots are still in the early or even trial stages at UNCW. But even in just their first week of operations, these robots are a great success for students willing to pay a delivery fee and wait for their drink. Students living in the freshman quad by the Starbucks, may have more luck receiving their drinks with unmelted ice than I did. With some trial and error, UNCW is welcoming Starship robots to campus, and on-campus students should look forward to taking advantage of this easy delivery system.
