Starship - delivery robot

Transparency, accountability 🙈

Starship Technologies is seen to have a number of transparency and accountability limitations: 

• Technical information. Starship has not publicly disclosed detailed technical information about its robots' navigation systems, sensor suites, or decision-making algorithms. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for external experts to evaluate the safety and reliability of the robots.

• Testing and validation. The company has not provided detailed information on its testing and validation procedures for the robots. This lack of transparency raises concerns about the robustness of the testing and validation processes.

• Data collection and use. Starship Technologies' robots collect data on their surroundings and interactions with humans. However, the company has not provided detailed information on what data is collected, how it is used, and how it is protected.

• Independent auditing and certification. Starship Technologies' robots are not subject to independent auditing or certification by a third-party organisation. This lack of external oversight raises concerns about the company's internal safety and security controls.

• Incident reporting. Starship Technologies does not publicly report incidents involving its robots, such as accidents or near-misses. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess the safety record of the robots.

• Accident accountability. In the event of an accident involving a Starship Technologies robot, it may be difficult to determine accountability. The company's liability policies are not publicly available, making it unclear who is responsible in the event of an accident.

• Complaints and appeals. Starship Technologies does not have a clear process for addressing public concerns or complaints about its robots. This lack of transparency and accountability can make it difficult for individuals to raise concerns or report issues.

Risks, harms 🛑

Starship delivery robots have been known to collide with pedestrians, cars and trains, get lost, or take too much time to make deliveries, resulting in physical damage, the delay of public services, legal liability issues, and distress and anger.

Concerns have also been voiced about their impact on jobs.

Research, advocacy 🧮

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