Daimler is helping fund Starship Technologies, a startup created by Skype founders Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis, the WSJ reports to help U.K.-based Starship bring rolling drone deliveries to city sidewalks around the world.
Starship’s six-wheeled autonomous drones protect deliveries while regulating temperature during the last mile of their journey to a customer’s doorstep. Designed to stick to the ground as a way to simplify the regulatory process, the devices will face stricter safety vetting when airborne.
The bots are equipped with an array of cameras and sensors, and are designed to be tamper-resistant and safe to operate in a variety of weather conditions. They’ve been in testing in both Europe and North America on public streets, and have even begun small-scale commercial service in London as of late last year.
Daimler’s interest in robotic delivery isn’t limited to Starship; it also invested in drone technology startup Matternet, and debuted a drone delivery van concept built using its Mercedes-Benz vehicle platform and the startup’s aerial quadcopters.
