This article serves as a continuation of The Fordham Ram’s previous story covering the new robot delivery service on the Fordham University Rose Hill campus.
As previously mentioned, the delivery robots currently service five on-campus food establishments: Bronx Bagel Company, Così, Dagger John’s, The Grotto and Urban Kitchen. The robots function during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and deliver from each location during the hours that align with both the establishment’s normal hours of operation as well as the delivery hours.
At the time of publishing, the robots only allow for payment through dining dollars or credit card and require a delivery fee of $3.49 regardless of the dining location or specific order.
“[The robots] make deliveries to 32 locations on campus, including Walsh Library, all residence halls and Edwards Parade,” Orla Fitzsimons, director of Dining Business Operations and Contract Management, said in an email. “We are currently reviewing the scope and possibility to expand to other locations on campus. Robots have the ability to deliver within the Fordham campus but not to outside locations.”
Ram Hospitality workers and student employees work together to run these robots during delivery hours, with the former fulfilling the orders and the latter acting as managers.
Fitzsimons could not share the overall cost of the robots for Ram Hospitality, as the installation was managed and executed by Aramark through their connections with Grubhub and Starship Technologies. However, she noted that the integration did not cost Fordham Information Technology (IT) anything, and that, “ongoing, the $3.49 delivery fee will cover student worker costs, maintenance and replacement costs.”
When asked about the potential for theft, Fitzsimons said that there are measures in place to deter any potential issues. “All robots have cameras at multiple angles which serves as a theft deterrent. All robots are locked away in a secure location at the end of each day. Additionally, all robots are GPS monitored and the Starship team can always see the exact location and remotely take control, when needed,” she said.
The robots are also weatherproof and will operate year-round in accordance with the university.. “After routine snow removal managed by Fordham facilities crews the robots can navigate the sidewalks,” Fitzsimons said.
Fitzsimons also provided a statement on how the idea for the robots was introduced, as well as a brief explanation behind the implementation of the system on Fordham’s Rose Hill campus.
“Ram Hospitality presented the idea to USG who were enthusiastic and supported the idea,” she wrote. “The concept is student centric, introduces new technologies to campus and provides student employment.”
