On January 6, the Winona City Council approved an agreement to allow 7 food delivery robots to deliver Chartwell food on and around Winona State University’s campus. Starting late February students and surrounding residents will be able to get food delivered straight to them.
Chartwell’s has partnered with Starship Technologies to bring the robots to Winona. Once launched, they will be able to make deliveries from Einstein’s, Starbucks or Panda Express within the boundaries approved by the City Council. This area is outlined by Wabasha Street to Sarnia Street and Grand Street to Franklin Street. Anyone, regardless of enrollment status, is able to use the Starship app to make orders, as long as they are getting it delivered within the marked zone.
They are expected to operate during normal Chartwell operating hours and won’t be available on weekends or university breaks.
George Micalone, the Director of the Student Union and Activities, thinks of this as a more reasonable and convenient solution to delivery.
“It’s tied into the meal plan so you can use dining dollars or a credit card. Once you place your order, the staff in Chartwell’s assign a robot, the food gets placed in and then it delivers. They operate just like pedestrians, using crosswalks and yielding to traffic.” Micalone said.
Each robot is equipped with a variety of sensors to allow safe navigation. This included radar, ultrasonic sensors, neural networks and 12 cameras. Using these sensors, the robots are able to identify pedestrians, cyclists and cars. They also have LEDs, reflectors and a flag to make it easier to spot. They are also battery operated, having zero carbon emissions.
John Sinniger, Director of Chartwell’s, has made it clear that Chartwell’s is responsible for all funding.
“There is no financing coming from the university and there is no effect on the board rates or the residential dining rates for students. Chartwells introduced this to the university so it’s not university tax dollars.”
Winona State is not the first school in Minnesota to enlist the help of robots. The University of Minnesota began offering this food delivery service in Fall 2024.
Hamilton Ferris, a third-year computer science major and member of the computer science club has mixed feelings on the robots.
“I like it. I don’t necessarily see the use for it right away, but I definitely think it’s a step in the right direction. Especially for people in East Lake that don ‘t have a quick way to get food from the cafeteria.” Ferris said.
Winona State offered mobile ordering back in Fall 2020 in the wake of COVID-19, which lasted a couple years. Despite serving its purpose to ensure less contact when ordering, it didn’t have enough demand to warrant keeping it around.
“This is a more reasonable solution for delivery than trying to hire people to run to places and manage personal. The technology does it all. It’s a convenient access to the retail venues.” Micalone said.
While it may be convenient for people living within the boundaries of the robots delivery area, for students off campus it may be more trouble than its worth.
“I probably won’t use it, I live off campus personally and it would just be too far out of the way.” Ferris said.
The city council will reassess their decision in a year to determine if they are an amenity or a nuisance to the community.
