Delivery Robots Become Common in Urban Areas
Delivery robots have become a frequent presence on sidewalks in various cities globally.
Josh Robertson, a resident of Chicago, recalls his first encounter with a delivery robot on his street with fascination.
"I actually thought they were kind of neat – it felt futuristic," he says.
However, his perspective shifted during a family walk when they had to avoid an approaching robot.
"To us it felt a little off - the fact that we were on the one strip reserved for walking, and we were having to get out of the way," says Robertson. "I started thinking about what it would be like for us to go for a walk as a family if there were dozens of robots with lights and cameras zipping around."
These autonomous urban delivery vehicles have appeared on pavements in several US cities as well as in the UK, Japan, South Korea, and Germany. They transport groceries and fast food using cameras, sensors, and GPS for navigation.
Chicagoan Josh Robertson has launched a campaign against delivery robots
Claims and Concerns Regarding Delivery Robots
Companies operating these robots assert that they can reliably identify and avoid obstacles, cross streets safely, and respond to their surroundings. They argue that the robots provide valuable services and help reduce traffic congestion and emissions.
Despite these claims, some local governments in the US and Canada, along with members of the public, have expressed reservations. Several bans and protests have been initiated.
San Francisco has restricted robot access to less busy city areas, while Toronto has prohibited their use on sidewalks since 2021.
In Chicago, the robots are banned in two small city zones.
Robertson advocates for a citywide suspension of delivery robots until comprehensive safety evaluations are conducted and clear regulations are established. He has initiated a petition supporting this, which has gathered approximately 4,400 signatures.
He notes that pedestrians often must step into the street to avoid the robots.
"There have been reports of collisions and injuries. I saw one a few days ago where somebody had been struck by one of the robots' safety flags, which is a little ironic," he says. "We've got reports of robots causing issues with traffic, blocking emergency vehicles because they're acting erratically at crosswalks."
Local Responses and Regulatory Challenges
Similar issues have arisen in Glendale, California, where the city council is considering a temporary ban on these vehicles. Council members were initially unaware of the companies deploying the robots.
"What triggered the concern and the discussion was a number of factors," says Councilmember Ardy Kassakhian. "The increased visibility of the robots in the downtown, and the question about accessibility and pedestrian movement on our public sidewalks.
Plus, uncertainty regarding the regulatory authority - because no-one asked us for permission to use the sidewalks for this business enterprise - and then the broader concern was about the impact on workers and public places."
Kassakhian adds that Glendale's sidewalks are narrow and he has witnessed confrontations between delivery robots and pedestrians, including elderly individuals, as well as robots breaking down and obstructing pathways.
"We need a regulatory framework, we need to designate operating rules, insurance requirements, accessibility standards, possibly permitting fees, operational limits in high pedestrian areas, and to have accountability for the operators," Kassakhian states.
Global Variations in Delivery Robot Regulations
In the UK, where delivery robots are being trialed in several cities, some residents have taken direct action. Reports have surfaced of Uber Eats robots being vandalized in Sheffield.
The manufacturer, Starship Technologies, maintains that their robots are safe and that public perception needs adjustment.
"We know it's a new experience for a lot of people to share a pavement with a robot," says Danny Pass, the company's European operations director.
"But the robots are friendly, they're polite and they're programmed to be careful. They've slotted into everyday life in loads of communities since we started out in the UK back in 2018."
Employment Concerns Raised by Trade Unions
Beyond pedestrian safety, the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), representing delivery drivers, is concerned about the potential impact on jobs. The union is monitoring developments and has communicated its concerns to the government.
"I think if it became more of a [permanent, countrywide] reality, we'd definitely have to be thinking about where we put on pressure - whether that's government, TfL [Transport for London], or local authorities - to ensure that these things are banned, because the human impact would be massive," says IWGB president Alex Marshall.
"This would mean whole communities in London, where a lot of people are precarious workers, would really suffer. People would be fighting for their lives against these pointless robots."
UK trade union boss Alex Marshall, left, is worried that delivery robots will mean job cuts
Future Outlook for Autonomous Delivery Robots
Although the current use of autonomous delivery robots is limited, analysts predict significant growth. A report from Transforma Insight last summer projected that by 2034, approximately 2.1 million such robots will be operational worldwide.
Regulatory approaches vary internationally, with countries like South Korea and Japan adopting more permissive stances.
Back in Chicago, Robertson continues to advocate for pedestrian safety and thoughtful regulation.
"There's a sense that change like this, even when it's unwanted is inevitable. But even if none of us can stop the future, we can at least choose which future we move into."
