By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Shortly after school started Wednesday morning, the fifth graders at Crim Elementary were directed outside.
“These kids have no idea what’s happening,” Crim Principal Zeb Kellough said.
A minute later, two Starship Robots rolled up in front of the school.
“What the heck?” one student shouted.
The food-delivering robots were making a special delivery – and giving the students an up-close look at the wheeled robots they will be painting on an ODOT snow plow.
Crim Elementary art teacher Noreen Overholt had selected the Starship Robots as the focus of the annual snow plow painting project. The snow plows are displayed each year at the Black Swamp Arts Festival.
“She always has a bunch of great ideas,” Kellough said.
The two robots delivered doughnut holes from Biggby Coffee, and cookies from Bowling Green State University to the fifth graders.
The area operations lead for the midwest region of Starship Robots, John VanCleve, was on hand for the special delivery Wednesday morning.
He thanked the students for painting a robot on the snowplow.
“I find that to be really cool,” VanCleve said.
When VanCleve asked if the students had any questions about the robots, hands shot into the air.
How fast do they go? They are held below 4 mph in town – but can go faster.
Do they need help from humans? The robots are autonomous 90% of the time. They call for an operator if they need assistance.
What happens if someone tries to steal one? They are equipped with a GPS and sensor, and have a very loud unpleasant alarm that goes off if tampered with.
How many sensors does each robot have? More than 20.
Can they talk? Yes, they are programmed to make basic statements.
Can they see in the dark? Yes.
What happens when they break down? They go to the repair shop.
Do you have to pay for the robots to deliver food? Yes.
As they munched on their doughnut holes and cookies, some students talked about the robot deliveries.
“I think more robots will bring food like this. This is just my first one,” a fifth grader said.
Some already had experience with the Starship deliveries.
“When COVID started, my parents ordered food from robots,” another said, recalling the Dunkin’ Donuts deliveries.
Some students predicted robots would be the future of food deliveries.
“Heck yeah,” one said.
And one boy tried to humanize the robots a bit.
“I named the one on the right Willis,” he said. “They are really cool, I like them.”
