Introducing Starship: On-Campus Food Delivery Robots at Cal Poly Pomona
Cal Poly Pomona is rolling out a new kind of campus delivery— one that arrives on six wheels and operates autonomously.
Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises Dining Services officially launched Starship Technologies’ mobile ordering and robot delivery service on April 6, bringing on-demand food delivery directly to students, faculty and staff across campus.
The service allows users to order from their phones and have meals delivered almost anywhere within a two-mile radius, including classrooms, residential halls, offices and even parking lots. The small, cooler-sized robots navigate sidewalks using a combination of sensors, cameras and GPS, making their way across campus to complete each delivery.
Select popular dining locations are participating in the initial rollout, including Panda Express, Qdoba, Lollicup and TaKorean, with additional venues planned to be added as the program expands.
To get started, users simply download the Starship Delivery app from the App Store or Google Play, browse participating restaurants and place an order. Once prepared, the food is loaded into a robot, which travels to the designated drop-off point. Customers receive real-time tracking updates and unlock the robot via the app upon arrival.
“We’re excited to partner with Cal Poly Pomona to bring this new service to campus,” said Pepe Aaviksoo, senior vice president of operations at Starship Technologies. “Our goal is to provide students with a safe, sustainable and seamless way to enjoy their favorite meals, wherever they are, whenever they want.”
A key feature for CPP students is the integration with the university’s Bronco One Card system. Meal plan holders can use Dining Dollars or Bronco Bucks directly within the app, streamlining the payment process and making the service accessible without requiring additional payment methods.
The introduction of autonomous delivery aligns with broader campus goals around innovation, convenience and student experience. By reducing wait times and offering flexible delivery locations, the program is designed to meet the needs of a busy campus community. The battery-powered robots also complete their deliveries with zero emissions, using as little energy as a tea kettle, making the service as sustainable as it is convenient.
While the robots operate independently, they are monitored remotely and programmed to safely navigate pedestrian-heavy environments. They can detect obstacles, yield to foot traffic and adjust routes as needed, ensuring a smooth integration into daily campus life.
Additionally, Starship Technologies will serve as CPP’s primary mobile food ordering system beginning fall 2026 with the discontinuation of Grubhub on campus.
With the launch of Starship Technologies at CPP, campus dining is becoming more flexible and tech-forward— bringing meals directly to the Bronco community with just a few taps on a smartphone.