THE LIGHTER SIDE

Technology of future delivers doughnuts of today on campus

FAIRFAX, Va. — A fleet of hightech robots has deployed at a northern Virginia university for the noble purpose of delivering pizza, doughnuts and coffee on demand to students.

More than 25 knee-high, coolershaped robots began delivery duty this week at George Mason University in Fairfax.

Ryan Tuohy, senior vice president for business development at San Franciscobased Starship Technologies, which makes the robots, said hundreds of delivery orders were placed on the service’s first day.

The company’s partnership with Sodexo, which holds the catering contract at George Mason, means students can get deliveries from Blaze Pizza, Starbucks and Dunkin’ for a $1.99 fee. A convenience store is also participating, and more vendors are expected to join the program later.

The six-wheeled robots can climb curbs and hold up to 20 pounds of cargo.

The robots drew smiles and bemused looks from students who stopped to take pictures as they plodded along campus Wednesday making lunch deliveries.

Justin Plassmeyer, a senior computer science major, got a pizza delivery Wednesday as his friends watched and took photos. The robot took about eight minutes to make a delivery that a person walking briskly might have done in five.

“It’s not the fastest thing in the world,” Plassmeyer said. “If you’re really hungry, it’s probably faster to walk and get your food yourself. But if you’re just a little bit hungry, it’s perfect.”

He appreciates the novelty of “having a little robot bring your food.”