Personal delivery devices (PDDs) are AI-controlled robots that operate on pavements, delivering food and pharmaceuticals direct to people’s homes. Despite being overwhelmingly popular with both customers and shops, and operating safely in numerous countries around the world, the regulatory framework in the UK creates legal uncertainty about their future.
Starship Technologies commissioned Prysm Global to do an economic impact assessment on the benefits of allowing the robots to operate in the UK. We conducted a robust econometric analysis, using techniques approved by HM Treasury, to show the impact on GDP, wages, jobs, inward investment and consumption. We also broke down the impact by mayoral authority, local authority, and constituency, so that local political leaders and MPs could see the benefits of having PDDs operate in their area.