Starship Technologies’ robot delivery vehicles (‘Delivery robots will happen’: Skype co-founder on his fast-growing venture Starship, 4 October) were introduced to Sale, Greater Manchester, by Co-op stores about two years ago. Though their use has dwindled (their size limits them to smallish deliveries), a few still cluster outside each Co-op.
They have a charm of their own, and I feel quite maternal about them. I worry about their safety and have escorted a robot across a pedestrian crossing so that the cars would stop for it.
They can sing too! Once, the dog and I caught up with a robot which (I am tempted to write “who”) was struggling up a very small incline. When it finally made it to the top, it stopped, as if to catch its breath. “Oi,” I told it, “Do something. I’m trying to video you.” It trundled a short way up the path, turned, and, singing Baby Shark, zigzagged back towards me.
My video was hopeless. The dog was tugging at the lead and barking frantically. Whether her behaviour was because of the performance or the sight of another dog further away, I do not know.
Nell Steele
Sale, Greater Manchester
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