Relay vs Starship Robot
Side-by-side comparison of Relay (Relay Robotics) and Starship Robot (Starship Technologies) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Cleaning & Facilities buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- RelayUnited States
- Starship RobotUnited States
Year First Available
- Relay2014
- Starship Robot2015
Verified Deployments
- Relay0 Deployments
- Starship Robot0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Relay$26,000 USD
- Starship Robot$5,500 USD
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Relay16 hrs
- Starship Robot18 hrs
Availability Status
- RelayACTIVE
- Starship RobotACTIVE
Physical
Dimensions
- Relay—
- Starship Robot559x559x686
Compartment Type
- Relayhybrid
- Starship Robotenclosed locked
Navigation & Safety
Navigation Type
- Relaylidar slam,vision
- Starship Robot—
Power
Battery Runtime
- Relay16 hrs
- Starship Robot18 hrs
Auto Docking
- RelayYes
- Starship Robot—
Integration
Elevator API
- RelayYes
- Starship Robot—
Floor Compatibility
- Relayhard floor,carpet
- Starship Robot—
Commercial
Price (USD)
- Relay$26,000 USD
- Starship Robot$5,500 USD
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country | United States | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2014 | 2015 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $26,000 USD | $5,500 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 16 hrs | 18 hrs |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Physical | ||
| Dimensions (values differ) | — | 559x559x686 |
| Compartment Type (values differ) | hybrid | enclosed locked |
| Navigation & Safety | ||
| Navigation Type (values differ) | lidar slam,vision | — |
| Power | ||
| Battery Runtime (priority for Cleaning & Facilities buyers) (values differ) | 16 hrs | 18 hrs |
| Auto Docking (values differ) | Yes | — |
| Integration | ||
| Elevator API (values differ) | Yes | — |
| Floor Compatibility (values differ) | hard floor,carpet | — |
| Commercial | ||
| Price (USD) (values differ) | $26,000 USD | $5,500 USD |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Payload, Robot Weight, Tray Count, Tray Capacity, IP Rating, Max Speed, Min Passable Width, Obstacle Detection Range, Min Object Detection Height, Charge Time, Hot-Swap Battery, PMS / POS Integration, Fleet Management, Noise Level, Display Size, RaaS / Month, Warranty
ROI Comparison
Same operating assumptions across every robot — the only difference is price. Set your numbers once to see which pays back fastest.
Annual labor displaced (per robot): $50,000
| Metric | Relay | Starship Robot |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $26,000 | $5,500 |
| Payback period | 6.2 mo | 1.3 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $224,000 | $244,500 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +862% | +4445% |
Estimates labor-cost displacement only — not a full total cost of ownership. Actual ROI depends on integration, maintenance, training, downtime, and task fit. Converted currencies are indicative; USD is the price of record.
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes Relay and Starship Robot?
Relay is made by Relay Robotics, based in US. Starship Robot is made by Starship Technologies, based in US.
When were Relay and Starship Robot launched?
Relay launched in 2014. Starship Robot launched in 2015.
How much does Relay cost compared to Starship Robot?
Relay is listed at $26,000. Starship Robot is listed at $5,500.
How do Relay and Starship Robot compare on the Robo Index?
Relay grades AA on the Robo Index. Starship Robot grades BB. The Robo Index is a credibility grade (AAA … C) that blends commercial maturity, verified deployments, company standing, and independent coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
Are Relay and Starship Robot in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Delivery on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between Relay and Starship Robot?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: Delivery Robot Vendor Selection: Insurance, Telemetry, and Fallback Procedures.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
Delivery Robot Vendor Selection: Insurance, Telemetry, and Fallback Procedures
9 min readDelivery Robots
Last-Mile Delivery Pilots: 90 Days to a Decision
7 min readDelivery Robots
Indoor vs Outdoor Delivery: Why the Cost Gap Is Larger Than It Looks
7 min readDelivery Robots
Build vs buy vs lease: which model fits a first deployment
8 min readChoosing Your First Robot
The hidden specs vendors hope you'll miss
10 min readReading the Spec Sheet
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About this comparison
Relay vs Starship Robot compares two robots in the delivery category. All data is sourced from manufacturer spec sheets, verified deployments, and third-party filings; see our methodology for how the Robo Index is calculated.