Autonomous delivery robots are now being rolled out in parts of Sheffield and Barnsley, as tech firm Starship Technologies expands its UK operations.
The company has introduced 16 robots in Sheffield, working with 12 local takeaways, with additional robots recently launched in Barnsley.
Danny Pass, Starship’s European Operations Director, who grew up in Sheffield and now lives in Barnsley, said he was proud to see the technology arrive in his home region.
He said: “We’ve been making autonomous deliveries in the UK since 2018, and in Yorkshire since 2022.
“Our robots are part of everyday life in many communities now. People love getting their fish and chips from a robot, and they really look after them when they’re out and about.”
He added that demand for delivery services continues to rise, and believes robots can complement human couriers rather than replace them.
“Our robots handle shorter journeys close to stores, which frees up human drivers to take longer-distance deliveries. That also helps reduce emissions from short car trips.”
According to the company, the robots are 99% autonomous and improve with every journey. With nearly 10 million deliveries completed, they are designed to safely navigate busy streets, recognising pedestrians, wheelchairs, cars and traffic signals.
Some Sheffield residents have welcomed the innovation, while others have raised concerns.
Amelia Quinn, 36, a mother from Sheffield, said: “If a delivery robot came to my door, I’d be excited to try it. However, I would like to know if the food is kept hygienic and that there’s technology to detect missing or incorrect items.”
“Recently, a delivery driver saw I had my hands full with my baby and kindly placed the order inside for me. That kind of personal touch would be hard to replace.”
Patricia Bazura, 18, a student in Sheffield, said: “I think it’s quite efficient that robots can deliver food. But I do worry about what happens if something malfunctions. We might also become too dependent on robots and AI, and that could affect jobs.”
Ahti Heinla, CEO and co-founder of Starship Technologies, said the rollout could also bring environmental benefits.
“By cutting out short car trips, our robots have already saved over 500,000 kilograms of emissions across Europe. Around 50,000 people in Sheffield will now have access to the service, helping make robot deliveries another normal part of the day.”