Students call for ban, express support
Nearly two years have passed since Notre Dame partnered with Grubhub and Starship to introduce a fleet of food delivery robots on campus, and students still have mixed feelings. Originally numbered at 30 robots in 2023, the fleet grew to 50 in 2024 and delivers orders from a number of campus eateries.
Executive Director of Campus Dining Luigi Alberganti commented in a university announcement on the arrival of the robots: “The robots will provide increased accessibility to our campus units by conveniently bringing the food to our customers, filling a void in the service that we currently have. … The fleet of robots will have such a positive impact on campus. They are part of our ongoing effort to bring innovative solutions to Campus Dining, they’ll expand our omnichannel retail strategy and they’ll provide flexibility and accessibility for our students.”
Following this announcement, nearly 400 people signed a petition titled “Manifesto Contra Robota” that sought the removal of the robots, citing concerns for the pedestrian character of campus. Written under the pseudonym “Ned Ludd,” the petition states, “The robots represent a [regrettable] commercialization and privatization of our shared campus.”
The robots present equal situations of frustration and relief for students on campus, depending on busy schedules, disabilities, athletic commitments, and sickness. The Rover sent out a survey to dorms and student groups to measure the approval rating of the robots among students. Respondents were asked to give their thoughts on the robots, the state of the pedestrian culture on campus, and the efficiency of the delivery vehicles.
Out of 149 respondents, 92 percent reported that they used the robots an average of zero times a week, and eight percent reported they used them one to two times a week. Of these respondents, six percent were student athletes.
Overall sentiment towards the robots was generally negative: the largest percentage of respondents for each question consistently thought the robots were unnecessary on campus, said they diminished the pedestrian culture on campus, and declared they would support a ban of the delivery vehicles.
When asked if they thought the robots were needed on campus, 66 percent of respondents said they were not, 23 thought they were, and the final 11 percent were ambivalent. Similarly, 45 percent stated they would approve a ban of robots, 30 percent said they would not, and the final 25 were ambivalent.
Many respondents left negative comments about the robots’ continued presence on campus.
One student wrote: “They’re ugly and we’re capable. Get rid of the robots. Let friends support each other, let students learn time management, let bodies get fresh air.”
Another noted the incongruence of the ban on scooters and the continued allowance of the robots: “It seems hypocritical for the university to ban electric vehicles for students while remaining perfectly happy to continue profiting off of [the robots] itself.”
Some responses merely reflected the distantly amused attitude most students have towards the vehicles: “The presence of Grubhub robots on campus is barely noticeable and only really provides opportunity for amusement. I’d be disappointed to see them go.”
Another said, “I’ve never known anyone that uses them, mostly they just exist as funny characters that people will mess with.”
Other students and athletes pointed out the benefits of the delivery method: “I don’t use them every week, but they are definitely worth having in my opinion. I’m glad there’s a cheaper alternative to DoorDashing for days when I simply don’t feel like getting out of my dorm.”
Some noted the help the robots give to sick or busy students: “While people take advantage of the robots, using them for convenience instead of necessity, they are a great addition and arguably necessary. For example, if a student is sick and can’t make it to the dining hall, or if they are cramming for a test and otherwise wouldn’t eat, the robots are convenient and a great resource, especially for the busy college student.”
For campus cafe and restaurant workers, however, the Grubhub robots can be a source of added stress and inconvenience to the day. Kali Stalboerger, a student worker at Au Bon Pain, told the Rover that the robots can disrupt the normal flow of work in the eateries: “The robot orders can definitely be annoying, since loading them stops the flow of the in-person pickup orders being given to customers and of sales being made in the front of house.”
Stalboerger continued, “Personally, I don’t think I’d necessarily support a robot ban, especially because of their convenience when people are sick around campus. … There are also other circumstances when having Grubhub robots makes a lot of sense, like in recent weeks when we have had subzero temperatures.”
She added, “However, I wish people would not use them when they could just as easily come pick up orders in person. It would definitely help me not to have to bring as many orders out and disrupt the rhythm of preparing orders inside.”
Others have noticed a number of malfunctions in the robots’ deliveries, such as missed or late deliveries. Twenty percent of surveyed respondents reported they have noticed a decline in the efficiency of the robots, and others commented that the machines presented a danger on campus: “They are also kind of dangerous to people who use bikes—I’ve almost gotten knocked over by a robot who couldn’t sense me,” one respondent noted.
Organizations have been founded on campus to address the concerns raised about the robots.
Notre Dame students Patrick McFarland and Davide W. Thompson, recognizing the faultiness of the Grubhub delivery system, founded CARI in 2024, a food delivery app that offers cheap, reliable, and personal food delivery. Run by college students for college students, CARI gives flexible employment opportunities for students through bike delivery and ensures dependable food service.
The petition in favor of banning the Grubhub robots is still active and can be viewed online.
Lucy Spence is a sophomore from northern Virginia majoring in the Program of Liberal Studies and piano performance. Her favorite pastime on campus is riding the Grubhub robots, so she personally would be sad if they were outlawed. Send her other transportation ideas at lspence@nd.edu.
Photo credit: Pexels
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