Starship Robot Hit Me on Campus: Your Rights

Starship Technologies operates delivery robots on over 50 college campuses including Arizona State, George Mason, UCLA, and many others. When these autonomous machines cause injuries, students and visitors have legal claims against both Starship and the university.

Starship Campus Operations

Starship robots navigate sidewalks autonomously, delivering food from campus dining locations. The 40-pound robots travel at walking speed but have caused: collisions with pedestrians, trip-and-fall incidents over stationary robots, blocked accessible pathways, and close calls forcing people into streets.

Documented Incidents

Reports from universities include: ASU students reporting near-misses and collisions, GMU pedestrians tripped by robots, complaints about robots blocking ADA-accessible routes. Safety data from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute shows 50% chest injury probability for children.

University Liability

Universities that contract with Starship may be liable under premises liability. By allowing autonomous robots on pedestrian walkways, universities assume responsibility for foreseeable injuries—especially given published crash test data showing risks.

Starship Product Liability

Starship Technologies faces strict product liability if robot defects cause injuries: inadequate obstacle detection, software navigation failures, insufficient sensors, and design that creates unnecessary hazards to pedestrians.

ADA Accessibility Issues

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, universities must maintain accessible pathways. Robots blocking wheelchair routes or creating obstacles violate federal law—providing additional grounds for claims.

Claim Values

• Minor trip/collision: $10,000-$50,000
• Moderate injuries: $50,000-$150,000
• Serious injuries (fractures, TBI): $150,000-$500,000
• Permanent disability: $500,000+