Tennessee Tech Dining Services rolls out robotic delivery, bringing meals to students’ doorsteps
Tennessee Tech University’s Dining Services is taking a step into the future — one small robot at a time.
In partnership with Starship Technologies, a global leader in sidewalk autonomous delivery, Tech has launched a new robotic food delivery program designed to bring added convenience, flexibility and a bit of fun to campus dining. The initiative makes Tech the first university in Middle Tennessee and only the second statewide to offer autonomous delivery of this kind.
The program has already soft-launched, with robots delivering orders from Which Wich, Poet’s Coffee, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Swoops Market and Starbucks. Additional dining locations will be added over the coming weeks so that full service is available from all locations by the start of the fall semester.
“These robots are going to help us reach more students, faculty and staff – especially those who are farther from the center of campus,” said Dirk Anderson, director of Dining Services. “Whether you’re in Tech Village, Foundation Hall or the Varsity Building, this gives you a convenient new option to have a meal brought right to you.”
The compact, wheeled robots travel along sidewalks and pathways across Tech’s main campus, navigating independently to deliver meals directly to a user’s pinned location.
Students, faculty and staff can access the service by downloading the Starship app, logging in with Tech credentials and placing an order much like they would through other food delivery platforms. The app provides estimated wait times and real-time tracking as the robot makes its way across campus.
Delivery fees are capped at $2.99, with a service fee of no more than 10%, and menu prices remain consistent with in-store purchases.
For Anderson, the launch represents the culmination of months of planning and collaboration between Starship Technologies, the university and its campus dining partner, Chartwells.
“We wanted to be intentional about how we introduced this,” Anderson explained. “By doing a soft launch in the spring, we can work through any early challenges and ensure everything is running smoothly ahead of a full rollout in the fall.”
The student response to the cutting-edge technology has been enthusiastic.
“Students have already started spotting them around campus, and the reactions have been hilarious,” said Taylor Petty, marketing manager for Dining Services. “We like to think of the robots as a sort of mascot for campus dining.”
Each robot is equipped with ultrasonic sensors, cameras, and advanced navigation systems that enable it to safely move through its environment, along with built-in security features. During delivery, the robot remains securely locked and can only be unlocked by the customer through the app. If a unit is tampered with or obstructed, it can emit an audible alert — sometimes even calling out for help — while maintaining communication with its operators.
Beyond novelty, the service addresses a practical need.
“This is all about making life a little easier for our students,” Anderson said. “We know their schedules are busy, and this is one more way we can meet them where they are — literally.”
Pepe Aaviksoo, senior vice president of operations for Starship Technologies, said the company is excited to partner with Tech to bring autonomous delivery to campus.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Tennessee Tech to introduce this innovative service,” said Aaviksoo. “Our goal is to provide a safe, sustainable and convenient way for campus communities to access the food they love, when and where they need it.”
As the robots continue to learn and adapt to campus pathways, Anderson expects service to become even faster and more efficient over time.
“These robots are constantly improving,” he said. “They’re learning the best routes and getting better every day — and we think the campus community is going to have a lot of fun with them along the way.”
Learn more about Tech’s campus dining locations, meal plan options and upcoming dining events at https://dineoncampus.com/ttu.