Stories

Wed, 17 Jun 2026

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 'We had to get out of the way': The backlash over delivery robots

As the delivery vehicles increasing take to US streets, bans and protest groups are springing up.

* Autonomous delivery robots have been introduced in several US and international cities, with claims that they provide a useful service and help reduce traffic and emissions.
* However, some local authorities and residents have expressed concerns about pedestrian safety, citing instances of collisions and injuries caused by the robots.
* In Chicago, a petition has been launched to ban the robots from all city areas until safety tests are carried out and clear rules are set on their usage. So far, the petition has gathered over 4,400 signatures.
* Similar concerns have emerged in Glendale, California, where the local council is considering a temporary ban on the use of the vehicles due to issues with accessibility, pedestrian movement, and regulatory uncertainty.
* In the UK, some locals have taken matters into their own hands, vandalising Uber Eats delivery robots in Sheffield.
* The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has expressed concerns about the impact on jobs, stating that a countrywide rollout would mean "whole communities" would suffer.
* Analysts believe autonomous delivery robots are set for a major boom, with 2.1 million expected to be in operation worldwide by 2034.
* The introduction of regulations is seen as crucial to ensure safe and controlled use of the technology.