A Leeds resident has shared a funny video of one of the new robots delivering for the Co-op in parts of the city as it attempts to go over a zebra crossing - and the makers have explained why this happens.
The new robots, made by Starship Technologies, rolled out in the Adel and Tinshill areas of Leeds last week. They provide autonomous grocery deliveries from Co-op doors straight to people's front doors.
The robots navigate around Leeds using a combination of artificial intelligence, machine learning and sensors. They've had successful runs in other cities across the UK, and are now available from the Spen Lane and Otley Road stores.
One mum posted on Facebook that her kids had loved getting their groceries from a robot, and were really excited when it arrived outside their front door. Other Leeds residents have been intrigued to understand how the robots work.
Joanna McEwan was driving to Leeds Bradford Airport through Adel when her and her parents spotted one of the robots as it prepared to cross a zebra crossing. They can be heard encouraging the robot as a car waits for it to go over the crossing.
Joanna and her family, who shot the video on Friday, December 2, eventually had to keep driving, so never did get to see the robot make it over.
A Starship Technologies spokesperson said: "The robots make more than 140,000 road crossings every day around the world, nearly one every three seconds, using a combination of sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to safely navigate.
"Most of these crossings are done autonomously, but on the rare occasion assistance is required, the robots can be monitored remotely. It’s also true that every now and then the robots will take a little extra time if the sensors pick up movement from cars on a crossing, particularly in a new area they’ve recently started mapping.
"If you see a robot waiting, feel free to carry on your journey - the robots will cross when the road is clear and it’s safe to do so. In terms of the initial roll out in Leeds, we’ve had lots of positive feedback already from customers and residents - and we’re seeing the robots being embraced as part of the community as they have in all the areas they operate around the world."
A spokesperson for Co-op, said: “The robots are proving to be popular, and have created a great deal of excitement and interest in the community. Here at the Co-op we are committed to exploring new and innovative ways to increase access to products and services – providing flexible, quick and convenient options online for shoppers in our communities.”
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