Just Eat robot delivery: order a takeaway and get your food by Starship Technologies robots in this UK town
A new trial is bringing futuristic convenience to everyday life 🤖
Residents in parts of one Yorkshire town are now able to order a takeaway and have it arrive not by car or bike, but by a small, self-driving robot.
From today (April 8), a fleet of bright orange delivery robots will begin transporting hot meals directly to doorsteps in North East Barnsley, as part of a new partnership between Starship Technologies and Just Eat.
The pilot scheme will initially cover Carlton, Athersley, Monk Bretton and Lundwood, serving around 11,000 households.
Customers ordering through the Just Eat app will be able to select robot delivery, with the machines travelling along pavements before stopping outside homes for contactless drop-off.
The launch marks a significant moment for Barnsley, which has recently been positioned as the UK’s first government-backed “Tech Town”, a label designed to showcase how emerging technologies can be integrated into everyday life.
Autonomous delivery is expected to play a key role in that ambition, and the robots are designed to deliver food within minutes, navigating streets independently using advanced sensors and artificial intelligence.
Operating at what is known as Level 4 autonomy, they can avoid obstacles, cross roads and complete journeys without human intervention.
While the technology may feel novel, it is far from untested, and Starship’s robots have already completed nearly 10 million deliveries worldwide and are a familiar sight in several UK communities. Globally, the company operates more than 2,700 robots across 270 locations.
Autonomous deliveries are expected to reduce congestion by replacing short car journeys, while also cutting emissions.
They may also improve access to food for people with limited mobility, an important factor given that around a quarter of Starship users in the UK have a disability or live with someone who does.
Analysis also suggests that scaling autonomous delivery nationwide could add £1.3 billion to the UK economy by 2035, and Barnsley alone could see a £3.9 million boost.
For now, the focus will be on how locals respond, and the trial will involve a mix of independent restaurants, with feedback from customers and businesses helping to shape future expansion.