Starship robot delivering groceries veers into canal

Occurred: November 2023

A Starship delivery robot veered off course in Milton Keynes, UK, and fell into a canal while making a delivery, raising questions about its safety mechanisms.

Local resident, Bex Morgan was walking her dog when she saw the robot driving straight into the water. Morgan reported that the company promptly responded to retrieve the robot from the canal. 

The incident sparked humorous speculation on social media, with some joking that the robot might have been trying to cool off in the hot weather.

Starship's robots are equipped with advanced navigation technology, including cameras, ultrasound, radar, and GPS, to help them travel safely along pavements and across streets. 

Despite the technology, the incident highlights the challenges these autonomous machines face in navigating their environments effectively.

Operator: Co-op
Developer: Starship Technologies
Country: UK
Sector: Transport/logistics
Purpose: Deliver groceries
Technology: Robotics; Machine learning; Neural network
Issue: Safety