At UCLA, Robots Are Delivering Groceries, Pizza and Coffee

Ben Bergman

Ben Bergman is the newsroom's senior finance reporter. Previously he was a senior business reporter and host at KPCC, a senior producer at Gimlet Media, a producer at NPR's Morning Edition, and produced two investigative documentaries for KCET. He has been a frequent on-air contributor to business coverage on NPR and Marketplace and has written for The New York Times and Columbia Journalism Review. Ben was a 2017-2018 Knight-Bagehot Fellow in Economic and Business Journalism at Columbia Business School. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, playing poker, and cheering on The Seattle Seahawks.

At UCLA, Robots Are Delivering Groceries, Pizza and Coffee

Students at the University of California, Los Angeles can now have pizza, coffee and groceries ferried to their dorms via six-wheeled autonomous robots.

Starship Technologies, a San Francisco-based robotic food delivery service launched in 2014 by two Skype co-founders, announced Wednesday it is adding the leafy Westwood campus to its roster of delivery locations after raising an additional $17 million in funding. The company started operating at the University of California, Irvine, last year.


"UCLA is going to be going to be special for us," said Ahti Heinla, co-founder and CEO of Starship. "It's good to be part of the dining services of such a well-known university. Definitely during these times, the demand for contactless deliveries has increased so we're seeing strong demand on university campuses and elsewhere."

Even though most students are not on campus because of the pandemic, Heinla said Starship is seeing considerable ordering from those remaining who do not want to risk getting coughed on by other humans.

"We are definitely seeing strong orders, specifically more orders than we did before the pandemic in the campuses," Heinla said.

UCLA students can order from vendors including Blaze Pizza, Bruin Buzz, Lu Valle and Southern Lights.

The campus sits on over 400 acres, much of it with steep inclines. But Heinla said his robots are well-equipped to handle any terrain.

"We can pretty much work anywhere and we operate in any weather," he said.

S

Starship has now raised a total of $102 million and has completed over a million deliveries with plans to expand to 100 campuses nationwide by the end of year. It also operates in a handful of cities, including Tempe, Arizona and Mountain View, California, as well as two towns in the U.K.

Autonomous delivery is projected to grow globally from $11.16 billion next year to $76 billion by 2030.

The competitive field includes giants like Uber and Amazon and Nuro – an autonomous vehicle startup founded by two ex-Google engineers valued at $4 billion. The company received regulatory approval earlier this month to operate on city streets in the Bay Area. There is also Kiwibot, which has raised over $3 million mostly from crowdfunding and plans to deploy over 400 robots in the L.A. area by the end of the year.

Postmates, which is now part of Uber, has been testing a handful of delivery robots in West Hollywood since last April.

Even if autonomous vehicle technology is ready, the public might not be. Lawmakers have raised concerns about robots crashing into pedestrians or taking jobs from delivery workers.

But Heinla said far from destroying jobs, robots actually create them because they can bring an edge to struggling mom and pop shops since Starship robots only operate in a four-mile radius, which is often beyond the reach of bigger outlets.

"It's possible for the corner shop to win the market back from the big store because the corner store can do deliveries faster because it's closer," Heinla said. "I think we are creating jobs."

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In the fast-paced world of startups and venture capital in Los Angeles, maintaining peak productivity is essential for founders and investors alike. As the hustle intensifies, many are seeking alternatives to traditional coffee that not only provide a sustained energy boost but also support overall health and well-being. The following list highlights some of the top-rated coffee alternatives that can enhance focus and productivity while minimizing the adverse effects of caffeine. These options incorporate adaptogens, superfoods, and gut-friendly ingredients, making them ideal choices for those looking to optimize their performance without the afternoon crash.


Matcha

Image Source: Jade Leaf Matcha

Matcha is a finely ground green tea that offers a moderate amount of caffeine, along with L-theanine, which promotes relaxation without drowsiness. This combination can enhance focus and concentration, making matcha a suitable alternative for those looking to boost productivity without the jitters of coffee.

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Dandelion Root Coffee

Image Source: Amazon

Dandelion root coffee is a caffeine-free alternative that mimics the taste of coffee. It is known for its potential to support liver health and digestion, which can contribute to overall well-being and productivity. The drink can help avoid the acidity and jitters that often accompany regular coffee, making it a gentler option for those sensitive to caffeine.

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Adaptogenic Drinks

Image Source: MUD\WTR Masala Chai

Adaptogenic beverages, which include ingredients like ashwagandha, reishi, and maca, are designed to help the body adapt to stress and promote mental clarity. These drinks can provide a sustained energy boost without the crash, supporting productivity throughout the day. They are often made with superfoods and spices that enhance both physical and mental performance.

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Golden Milk (Turmeric Latte)

Image Source: Golde

Golden milk, made from turmeric, ginger, and milk (or a milk alternative), is a caffeine-free option that can improve mood and reduce inflammation. The calming properties of this drink can help maintain focus and clarity, making it a great addition to a productive morning routine.

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Chicory Root Coffee

Image Source: Teeccino

Chicory root coffee is an excellent alternative that satisfies the desire for a warm beverage without caffeine. It is rich in inulin, a prebiotic fiber that aids in digestion and promotes gut health by supporting beneficial bacteria. Chicory coffee has a nutty, earthy flavor and can help control blood sugar levels, contributing to overall energy and productivity throughout the day.

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Yerba Mate

Image Source: Guayaki Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is a traditional South American herbal tea made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It contains about 40-80 mg of caffeine per serving, which is less than a standard cup of coffee but enough to provide a gentle energy boost. Yerba mate is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and users often report feeling energized without the jitters or crashes associated with coffee. It has a unique, slightly bitter flavor and can be enjoyed in various forms, including loose-leaf tea and pre-brewed options.

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Happy Friday Los Angeles!

The Los Angeles data center market is experiencing a significant supply crunch, ranking 12th in growth among top markets since 2020 with only 265 megawatts of colocation inventory (data centers where businesses rent space to store their computing hardware and servers). Despite this, demand is surging, driven by AI, cloud, and hyperscaler needs, with AI accounting for 20% of new data center demand nationally. This scarcity is creating a highly competitive environment, with vacancy rates at a record low 3% and asking rents rising 13-37% year-over-year. For Los Angeles, this presents both challenges and opportunities in the big picture. The city's strategic position as a global entertainment hub and its connectivity to international markets through subsea cables make it an attractive location for data centers. However, the limited inventory and rising costs could potentially hinder growth and innovation in the tech sector. To maintain its competitive edge, Los Angeles will need to address these constraints through new developments, such as GI Partners' 16 MW addition at One Wilshire, and by focusing on high-connectivity, high-power capacity submarkets. The city's tech community should prepare for a landscape of increased competition for quality data center space, higher costs, and the need for innovative solutions to meet growing demand, particularly in AI and cloud services. While Los Angeles faces a challenging data center supply crunch, its strategic advantages and ongoing developments offer a promising path forward.


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