Key facts
- Delivery robots are facing backlash in cities worldwide due to concerns about sidewalk obstruction and pedestrian safety.
- Some cities have implemented bans or restrictions on these autonomous vehicles.
- Residents report being forced to step into streets to avoid robots and cite concerns about potential collisions and injuries.
- A union representing delivery drivers fears significant job losses due to the increasing use of robots.
- Despite opposition, analysts predict a major increase in the global operation of delivery robots in the coming decade.
Delivery robots, designed to transport groceries and fast food, are becoming a common sight on sidewalks in various cities across the US, UK, Japan, South Korea, and Germany. These autonomous vehicles use cameras, sensors, and GPS to navigate. Operators claim they are safe, can avoid obstacles, and help reduce traffic and emissions.
However, public and official reception has been mixed. In Chicago, resident John Roberts has launched a campaign and petition against the robots, citing instances where pedestrians had to dodge them and expressing concerns about safety, potential collisions, and obstruction of emergency vehicles. He advocates for a suspension until safety tests and clear usage rules are established. Similar sentiments have led San Francisco to limit robot access to less busy areas and Toronto to ban them from sidewalks entirely.
Glendale, California, is considering a temporary ban, with Councillor Ardy Kassakhian highlighting issues of accessibility, pedestrian movement, and the lack of prior permission for businesses to use public sidewalks. He also noted concerns about the impact on workers and public spaces, and personal observations of robots causing obstructions.
In the UK, some delivery robots have faced vandalism. Starship Technologies, a key operator, insists its robots are safe and have integrated well into communities since 2018. Conversely, the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) is worried about the potential for widespread job losses among delivery drivers, urging for bans to protect precarious workers.
Despite these controversies, analysts predict a substantial growth in the delivery robot market, with projections of over 2 million in operation worldwide by 2034. The current regulatory landscape is described as a 'hotchpotch,' with countries like South Korea and Japan adopting more liberal approaches.