Students at the Oregon State University were warned to “avoid all robots” following a bomb threat prank involving automated food delivery machines on campus.
The threat was made by a student on Tuesday via social media, causing university staff to issue the urgent warning.
“Bomb Threat in Starship food delivery robots. Do not open robots. Avoid all robots until further notice. Public Safety is responding,” the institute wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The university later provided several updates on the unfolding situation, saying that the robots had been isolated in a “safe location” before being inspected by a technician. Students were advised to “remain vigilant for suspicious activity”.
The emergency was declared over just before 2pm local time with “normal activities” resuming.
“All robots have been inspected and cleared. They will be back in service by 4pm today,” the university later wrote online.
Starship, the company that designs the robots, said that despite the student’s subsequent admission that the bomb threat had been “a joke”, it had suspended the service while investigations were ongoing.
In its own statement, the company wrote: “A student at Oregon State University sent a bomb threat, via social media, that involved Starship’s robots on the campus.
“While the student has subsequently stated this is a joke and a prank, Starship suspended the service.
“Safety is of the utmost importance to Starship and we are cooperating with law enforcement and the university during this investigation.”
