On Oct. 31, Starship Technologies launched what it calls the world’s first autonomous package delivery service, as hundreds of the company’s robots will be used to deliver packages straight to the front doors of consumers.

Right now, the service is available through Starship’s official app for residents living in the UK (Milton Keynes). By simply clicking a button, these residents can have packages delivered to their front door whenever they choose.

According to Starship, once people sign up on the app, they will receive a ‘personal address’ in place of their home address or whichever location they normally get parcels delivered to. This personal address will be the location of a Starship managed local facility.

​Once their package has arrived at their personal address, consumers will receive a notification through the app, and they will then be able to choose a time for one of Starship’s robots to deliver the package to their home, place of work or any other location nearby, while also being able to track the robot’s journey in real time using the app.

Starship says that by the end of the year, the service will be available to residents in the states, starting in the Bay Area of California.

“We’re excited that thanks to our technology, local communities across the globe will never miss a home delivery again,” says Lex Bayer, Starship’s chief executive officer.

“Starship gets packages to consumers when and where they want them. This is the only service of its kind available in the world today, and it works around your lifestyle.”

Starship believes that its service can have a significant impact on cutting down on package theft. The company notes that package theft occurs with 42 percent of city dwellers, 26 percent of suburbians, and 19 percent of people who live in rural areas.

With this in mind, Starship’s service gives consumers complete control over when their packages arrive so that packages are never left unattended.

“Consumers are in control – they choose when an order comes to their door and there’s no need to use a locker service to collect deliveries,” Bayer says. “We provide the locker and the delivery, saving time and making consumers’ lives easier.”