The Co-op is rolling out robots for autonomous grocery deliveries to residents in Sale, Greater Manchester.

Co-op Starship robots

Customers use an app to open the robot and receive their items

In partnership with Starship Technologies and Trafford Council, the service will be available to 24,000 residents across 10,500 households.

Orders are made through the Starship food delivery app with groceries freshly picked in local Co-op stores. Customers can choose from a range of items, schedule their delivery and drop a pin to the location where it should be sent.

An interactive map will show where the robot travels in real-time and customers will receive an alert when deliveries are sent. Users can unlock the robot’s lid using the app to access their groceries.

The battery-powered robot uses sensors, AI and machine learning to travel and navigate its way to customers. The service is already present in Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford, Cambridge and Leeds.

Co-op ecommerce director Chris Conway said: “Co-op stores are well placed in the heart of local communities to provide quick, easy and convenient home deliveries, whether a full shop or last-minute top-ups.

”We are committed to exploring new and innovative ways to increase access to our products and services, and delighted to be able to rollout autonomous robots to provide additional online flexibility and choice in Greater Manchester.”

Starship Technologies UK operations manager Andrew Curtis added: “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 the north of England. The robots provide ease and convenience for people, while also making a positive contribution to reducing congestion and carbon emissions.

”We are confident the service will be well received and look forward to a longstanding relationship with Trafford Council to hopefully roll the service out further in the months ahead.”

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