Delivery Robots Controlled From Abroad Coming to Brigham Young University

A new robotic delivery service is coming to Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah. 

The service is designed similarly to other robotic delivery systems but with one twist, the robots will be operated by a team in Dakar, Senegal.

The robots are designed by Caytu Robotics, a startup based in Dakar that focuses on remote-control technologies to establish “cross-continental collaboration” in robotic deployment.

Caytu calls its collaboration with BYU a significant milestone as a major pilot of its remote-operated system.

In the delivery pilot, the robots will deliver food to students and staff from nearby restaurants and cafes.

“One of the most exciting aspects of Caytu's technology is its ability to enable remote control of robots from literally anywhere in the world,” said Sidy Ndao, Caytu’s CEO. “The operators use advanced software and control systems to guide the robots through the campus, avoiding obstacles and ensuring timely and efficient delivery of food.”

The service will also be monitored by Benjamin Terry, a professor of mechanical engineering from BYU. Terry will be collecting and analyzing data from the robot’s interactions with students, as well as their navigation capabilities, around the campus. Insights will then be used to enhance the design and functionality of the autonomous robots.

Caytu has plans to expand its remote-operated robotics service to universities around the world.

“The ultimate goal [is] creating a global network of autonomous delivery robots that can be controlled by operators sitting in this small African nation,” the team said. “Providing valuable high tech jobs and enabling greater levels of African participation in Robotics and AI.”