Just Eat has launched a trial for delivery robots across Sunderland in partnership with robotics company Starship Technologies.

The new trial will begin with 12 Just Eat partners offering delivery through robots to over 11,000 households within the city centre.

Additionally, the Starship’s robots will be programmed to play the well-known “Did Somebody Say” song upon arrival at the customer’s door.

The delivery platform will be offering a diverse range of cuisines, including burgers, British food and bubble tea, which is set to be delivered in minutes.

Mert Öztekin, chief technology officer at Just Eat, said: “Our ground robotics trials are all about innovating to improve the customer experience.

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“We’ve teamed up with a diverse range of local independent restaurants to trial the Starship robots, and we’ll be listening to their feedback closely, as well as that of our customers.”

Customers can click the ‘get it delivered by robot’ banner on the restaurant’s menu upon checkout, and they can track their order afterwards.

Once the delivery robot arrives, the customer will be notified and can retrieve their items by pressing a unique ‘unlock’ button on the Just Eat app.

This announcement follows the platform rolling out autonomous ground delivery robots in Bristol and Milton Keynes, ahead of the Valentine’s Day rush earlier this month.

The move is part of Just Eat’s wider push towards bringing in technology to improve the overall customer experience.