In the bustling city of Chicago, delivery robots have become a source of both intrigue and frustration, as they are now being held responsible for causing damage to public property. The recent incidents have sparked a conversation about their role in urban life, with Mayor Brandon Johnson addressing the growing concerns surrounding these high-tech couriers.
The debate over whether delivery robots are a boon or a bane has intensified following two accidents involving these machines. Videos have surfaced showing the robots colliding with bus shelters just days apart, fueling the discussion among Chicagoans about their place in the cityscape.
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In Lincoln Park, delivery robots have become a familiar sight, zipping along sidewalks with meals in tow for hungry customers. However, their presence has not been without mishaps. This past Sunday saw a Serve Robotics device inadvertently crash into a CTA bus shelter at Grand and Racine in West Town, leaving behind a trail of controversy.
The following day, a similar incident occurred when a robot from Coco Robotics collided with another bus shelter at North and Larrabee in Old Town, further escalating the debate about the safety and utility of these autonomous machines.
As the city continues to embrace technological advancements, the challenge remains to find a balance between innovation and the preservation of public safety and property. The incidents serve as a reminder of the growing pains that often accompany the integration of new technology into everyday life.
Then on Monday, a robot operated by Coco Robotics hit a bus shelter at North and Larrabee in Old Town.
Both Serve and Coco said they will pay for repairs and are looking into what the robots to get off track.
The back-to-back incidents are unsettling to Lincoln Park resident Melissa Bers, who says she was not a fan of the robots to begin with.
“I think that it takes away jobs from people,” Bers said. “Second of all, i think they’re dangerous to cars, to people, animals get scared of them.”
Coco first came to the city in late 2024, while Serve rolled out its robots in September, as part of a pilot program launched by the departments of transportation and business affairs and consumer protection.
Mayor Johnson said Wednesday he’s aware of incidents and that the pilot program, in effect until May of 2027, is a way to see what works and what needs to be improved.
“There’s clearly a need for these forms of deliveries, and it’s going to certainly give us an opportunity to reflect on city assets, clearly the strength of these particular devices,” Johnson said. “Whether it’s glass or any other form that’s on display that could be disrupted or interrupted.”
A petition to end the delivery robot program has garnered more than 3,700 signatures.
Alderman Daniel LaSpata declined to allow the robot companies to expand beyond us portion of the 1st Ward following negative feedback from people.
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