Co-op ‘robot’ deliveries launched in three more locations
20 July 2022National convenience retailer, Co-op along with Starship Technologies have announced a partnership with North Northamptonshire Council to operate an autonomous vehicle delivery service in three towns in its district.
The service, launched on 14 July, now makes delivery via Starship’s ‘robot’ vehicles from local Co-op stores available to 45,000 residents across Wellingborough, Rushden and Higham Ferrers.
Co-op stores acting as micro-fulfilment centres
Orders made through the Starship app are being picked by staff at four local Co-op stores at Olympic Way and Northern Way in Wellingborough, Grangeway in Rushden and High Street, Higham Ferrers. Selecting products from an edited in-store range, orders are then delivered in around one-hour by Starship’s six-wheeled robots travelling on pedestrian routes. Moving at around four miles an-hour the vehicles have the full capability for negotiating urban environments such as road crossings. As well as delivery to home addresses, delivery can also be directed to public locations such as parks.
Offers an environmentally-friendly delivery solution
North Northamptonshire Council’s involvement in the partnership is driven by its environmental agenda as it seeks to offer its local residents alternative solutions to shopping collection or delivery by fossil-fuel using cars and vans. The average Starship delivery requires only the same amount of electricity as boiling a cupful of water and all the power used for charging the robots comes from zero-carbon sources.
Chris Conway, eCommerce Director, Co-op, commented:
Co-op is committed to exploring new and innovative ways to increase access to its products and services. Our members and customers lead busy lives and ease, speed and convenience is at the heart of our approach. We are delighted to be able to extend the Starship service into the North Northamptonshire area. As a convenience retailer, we know the ability to come into stores will always be important to customers, but we also know that shoppers want flexible and convenient options online, and so we are focused on providing what our customers want and need, however and wherever they choose to shop with us.