This summer your takeaways could be delivered by self-driving robots as they hit the streets of Richmond in a trial “aimed at reducing emissions and delivery costs”.

Starship Technologies have been given the go-ahead by the council to pilot their latest venture across the borough- six-wheeled delivery robots that can travel up to four mph.

The robots are 22 inches tall and 28 inches long, with nine on-board cameras, two-way audio and movement sensors.

Driven autonomously, they will make every day deliveries to residents- the technology is already used in other boroughs and by takeaway companies.

Battery powered, the robots generate zero carbon emissions and can move around, generally, without human input but are monitored by human controllers who can take over if need be.

Richmond Council’s cabinet member for highways, Councillor Peter Buckwell, said: “This technology has the potential to transform the local delivery of goods and groceries.

“Supporting this trial could have significant benefits for all customers around London in the future.”

Cllr Gareth Elliott, cabinet member for digital and technology, said he was “truly excited” to see the results of the trial and that it was a “true first for this borough”.

Henry Harris-Burland, VP Marketing at Starship Enterprises, said: “Starship is delighted that Richmond Council will welcome delivery robots into their borough.

“It is a great location and we look forward to offering local residents in TW9 and TW10 access to the benefits of on-demand robot delivery soon.”

It is not clear yet what impact this will have on human delivery drivers.

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