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‘Delivery robots will happen’: Skype co-founder on his fast-growing venture Starship

Ahti Heinla on bringing his tech to small towns, its effects on jobs – and whether he’s still interested in money

City dwellers around the world have long been used to rapid delivery of takeaway food and, increasingly, groceries. But what they are not entirely used to – yet – is the sight of a robot pulling up to their front door. The co-founder of Skype, Ahti Heinla, believes his new venture is about to change that.

Heinla is the chief executive of Starship Technologies, a startup that, he claimed, is able to operate deliveries run by trundling robots at a small profit – and cheaper than a human delivery driver, even in small towns and villages where delivery has not previously been viable.

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