Delivery Robot Meets Train in Miami
A delivery robot from Uber Eats became stuck on a railroad track in Miami and was subsequently destroyed by an oncoming train.
Witnesses were taken aback as they saw a Brightline commuter train collide with the malfunctioning robot courier. Reports indicate that the robot was unable to make its deliveries.
Video footage captured by local resident Guillermo Dapello showed the robot sitting idle on the tracks for roughly 15 minutes, just before the train barreled in at high speed.
Dapello shared, “I was walking my dog around 8 p.m. when I noticed a food truck stranded on the tracks.” He had contacted Uber Eats about the delivery and quickly recorded the incident as the train approached. In the video, he can be heard exclaiming, “Oh, I’m going to crash,” just before the collision, which gained widespread attention online.
Fortunately, there were no human injuries during the incident, but the tiny robot didn’t stand a chance.
It’s noted that a train traveling at 55 mph can take nearly a mile to come to a complete stop, whereas the average Uber Eats delivery robot is about the size of a suitcase, moving at a sluggish pace of 8 mph. These robots are designed to carry up to 55 pounds of food and will only unlock their cargo compartments when instructed through the Uber Eats app.
This striking contrast highlights the challenges faced by these delivery devices. They incorporate AI, cameras, and sensors for navigation, yet, they can rely on human operators when it comes to tricky situations like crossing streets or tracks.
Initially launched in a limited area in Santa Monica, California, the robot delivery service has since expanded into Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. Its remarkable success allowed Uber Eats to broaden its outreach into more urban locations across the U.S.
According to various statistics, Uber Eats boasts around 95 million users globally, with approximately 31 million residing in the United States, making it the leading single-app delivery service.
Efforts to reach Uber Eats for further comment were unsuccessful.
