TU Proud
Say Hello to Your Newest (Food-Delivering) Friends
TU is among the first campuses in Maryland to launch the food delivery robot service.
It makes TU’s food options more accessible to students, faculty and staff—especially those who can’t take a break from their studies or work and those who aren’t feeling well.
Vernon Hurte, senior vice president for student affairs and university life
Beginning in early March, five robots began delivering meals and drinks from select Union Food Market locations to more than 50 outdoor drop-off spots across campus.
The robots are part of a pilot program from TU’s Dining Services in partnership with GrubHub and Starship Technologies.
The robots contain locked, temperature-controlled compartments to prevent spills and ensure food and drinks remain at the desired temperature. Designed to act like pedestrians, they’ll use radar, sensors and GPS to travel on campus sidewalks, detect obstacles and traverse crosswalks along Cross Campus Drive. Alarms, cameras and tracking devices will protect against theft and alert staff when they need support.