COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tech Takes Over Campus Dining!
In a world where technology is changing the way we live and interact every day, the University of South Carolina (USC) has taken a giant leap into the future of food delivery. Since February 2024, students have been able to enjoy their favorite meals without having to leave the comfort of their dorms, thanks to a fleet of 20 Grubhub Starship delivery robots.
Convenience at Your Fingertips
Imagine this: it’s late at night, you’re buried under a mountain of assignments, and the only thing that could possibly save you is a hot slice of pizza. Instead of trekking across campus in the dark, students can simply hop onto the Grubhub app and select a delivery robot to bring the food directly to them. Faren Alston, USC’s Dining Marketing Director, shared that this approach isn’t just about convenience; it’s a game changer.
“Like most college campuses, parking and navigating the locale is very difficult. Getting food delivered can be a hassle,” Alston explained. With these robots, everyone can enjoy quick deliveries without the stress of finding parking or navigating through crowds.
Efficient Delivery for Everyone!
For an extra fee, students can have these adorable little robots zoom around campus, bringing delicious food almost anywhere. And it seems like the robots are making quite the impact! According to junior robot technician Gabriel Bowers, students are loving the service, especially those who might have trouble getting out of their dorms.
“I’ve gotten the best feedback from people who can’t leave easily, whether they are working long hours or have a physical disability,” Bowers explained enthusiastically. It’s pretty clear that these robots are designed not just for convenience but also to make sure everyone gets the chance to enjoy campus dining!
Students Are Embracing the Change
Just how popular is this service? Bowers noted that on any given day, over 70% of food orders at USC are coming in through mobile phones, making it a significant Grubhub campus. In fact, there are more than 17,000 transactions a day through Grubhub, with a nice chunk attributed to these speedy little robots.
First-year student Sammy Lyons couldn’t be happier with the service. “The robots are fast and safe,” said Lyons. “A lot of people use it late at night for that safety aspect. Instead of walking in the dark, they can just grab their food outside their dorm.”
Future Expansion on the Horizon
But the innovations don’t stop there! USC is actively working on expanding the delivery zones for these robots, ensuring they will be accessible to everyone no matter where they are on campus. With the popularity of the robots, it’s clear that the demand for quick, safe food delivery is only rising.
And guess what? USC isn’t the only school that’s jumped on this robotic food delivery bandwagon. Major institutions like North Carolina A&T and Georgia Tech have also welcomed Grubhub Starship robots on their campuses, proving that the future of dining is not just bright but downright exciting!
As more universities explore these high-tech solutions, one thing is for sure: dining on campus has just been revolutionized. Students can now look forward to a seamless blend of convenience, safety, and good food — all thanks to a few friendly little robots doing what they do best!
