Rise of delivery robots leaves drivers fearful of job losses

Starship Technologies delivery robots are seen in Washington, DC. Starship Technologies said its global deliveries tripled in 2021 – its 1,700 self-driving bots made three million trips across countries like the United States, Finland, Germany and Estonia. — AFP

BEDFORD, England: British shoppers looked on with surprise and delight as a supermarket worker casually handed over groceries to the newest members of the team – delivery robots.

“Where are you going?” one passer-by asked a white robot, resembling a small fridge on wheels. Another person stopped to wave it goodbye as it rolled off to drop an order to a customer’s door in the central English town of Bedford.