Forget drones — Starship Technologies wants to deliver goods with six-wheeled robots

By Kelly Hodgkins Published November 4, 2015

Two former Skype co-founders, Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis, are jumping on the automated delivery bandwagon this week with the launch of a new company called Starship Technologies. However, rather than using airborne, drone-based delivery methods like Amazon and Google, the company is proposing an Earth-bound delivery solution that relies on a fleet of autonomous, road-bound delivery robots.

Starship’s terrestrial delivery robots are designed to be ecologically friendly and extremely efficient. “Our vision revolves around three zeroes – zero cost, zero waiting time, and zero environmental impact. We want to do to local deliveries what Skype did to telecommunications.” said Starship CEO Ahti Heinla.

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The robots are capable of carrying two grocery bags worth of goods, and can deliver their cargo in under 30 minutes from a local shipping facility or retail store. Customers can chose a specific delivery time and then track the robot as it moves towards its destination using a mobile app. The robot drives autonomously on sidewalks at speeds yup to 4 miles per hour, blending in with foot traffic. A human operator overseas the robot and is available if a safety issue requires their intervention. Once the robot arrives, only the intended recipient can unlock the cargo.

The fleet is designed to help retailers with the “last mile” — the stage of shipping that brings the actual package to a customer’s home. This part of the delivery chain is costly to retailers and frustrating to customers who have a date, but not an exact time when their pack package will arrive. Starship’s solution is affordable, allowing retailers to ship cargo to a hub that is delivered autonomously by robots at a fraction of current last mile delivery costs. Customers also have the convenience of scheduling a delivery to fit their needs and the ability to track the package as it arrives.

Starship Technologies is currently testing and demonstrating prototype robots to interested service partners. The company plans to launch its first pilot robot delivery system in the US, UK and other countries beginning in 2016.

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Kelly's been writing online for ten years, working at Gizmodo, TUAW, and BGR among others. Living near the White Mountains of…

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Improvements to the Enclave and Acadia’s headlights, introduced after January 2025, helped push them over the finish line. Unfortunately, not all models in this testing round were so lucky. The Cadillac Lyriq, Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, Kia K4, and several Nissan models—including the Kicks, Rogue, and Sentra—fell short. Common issues? Poor headlight performance or incomplete testing.
The IIHS notes that these evaluations are ongoing. Not every vehicle released for 2025 has been fully assessed, and late-year updates can still improve a model’s score. For the full list of safety awards, you can check out the IIHS website.

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Unlike Tesla and Lucid, which launched with high-priced luxury models, Slate wants to flip the model: start cheap, scale up.
At its core, the Slate Truck is a utilitarian, two-seat electric pickup designed for simplicity and affordability. But what sets it apart is its transformative potential. Thanks to a modular accessory system, the truck can be upgraded over time—including a kit that adds a rear seat, roll cage, airbags, and SUV body panels. This means buyers can start with a minimalist pickup and evolve it into a family-friendly SUV—either themselves or through Slate’s growing network of service partners.
Customization is central to Slate’s vision. Owners will be able to choose from over 100 accessories at launch, ranging from vinyl wraps and Bluetooth-ready audio systems to larger battery packs and off-road upgrades. The company encourages a DIY approach, offering tools and tutorials through “Slate University” to empower users to modify and maintain their own vehicles.
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Despite the minimalist specs, Slate isn’t skimping on safety. The truck is engineered to meet top crash test ratings and comes equipped with up to eight airbags, active emergency braking, and forward collision warning.
Backing this ambitious approach is significant investor support—including Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos. That backing, combined with a simplified production model, positions Slate to scale quickly once production begins in 2026.
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