Decision details

The company ‘Starship Technologies’ offers an innovative, last-mile solution that reduces carbon emissions, helps drive sales for businesses in the area and provides a cost-effective, convenient (and fun!) service to local residents

Approval required for Starship Technologies to trial the use of personal delivery devise (autonomous droids) in the Adel / Tinshill residential areas of Leeds to make home deliveries on behalf of two local participating CO-OP stores. Initial trial will be for 3 months but could be extended if successful.

The Chief Officer for Highways and Transportation has:

a)  Given authority for Starship Technologies to conduct a trial in the use of Personal Delivery Droids (PDDs) to provide an innovative home delivery grocery service in the Northwest area of Leeds. Initial trial will be for three months with an option to extend the trial period if successful with further approval from Highways Board. Any decision to expand the trial area(s) would need to be brought back to Highways board for further approval and recommendation.

b)  Recognised that there is currently no national legislation which specifically governs the operation of robotic Personal Delivery Devices (PDDs) within the UK. In particular, the legal position on the use of PDDs on the public footpath is unclear.

c)  Accepted that PDDs will share the residential footpaths with pedestrians and that the necessary amount of consultation and engagement with key accessibility / disability groups has taken place. Accordingly, routes and operations during the trial can be amended in real-time if required to respond to local feedback.

Extensive political and key accessibility stakeholder engagement which include briefings and live demonstrations. Opportunities for further/ongoing engagement including briefings and demonstrations. Scheme surveys will be conducted before/after and at regular intervals during the trial by both LCC and Starship Technologies.

The following stakeholders have been specifically consulted with:

•  Executive Member at three separate briefings

•  Ward Members briefings held on 12th and 13th September with further planned both in the lead up and throughout the proposed trial: 

•  Weetwood –briefing held with all 3 members on 12th Sept

•  Adel Wharfdale – briefing held with 1 member on 13th Sept with offer sent to all 3 members.

•  LCC Highways, Accessibility and Adults & Health Officers

•  Access and Use-ability Group (AUAG)

•  Representatives of Disability and Wellbeing Network (DAWN)

•  Representatives of Leeds Disabled Peoples Organisation (LDPO)

•  Members of the Leeds Old Peoples Forum

•  OPAL Project members

•  University of Leeds Disability Centre members and students

•  Colleagues from other Local Authorities involved in similar trials