Residents of Philadelphia Frustrated by Delivery Robots

For about a month now, people in Philadelphia have been adjusting to sharing their sidewalks with robot delivery drivers, but it hasn’t been a smooth transition.

On March 10th, Uber Eats introduced its robot, Avride, in the city, showcasing it as a glimpse into the “future of delivery.” However, the novelty quickly wore off, and some residents began to express their disdain. Notably, in late March, one of these robotic delivery units was kicked multiple times in the Center City area.

The second time around, the robot toppled over. A news report noted that those who kicked the robot did so while it was on wheels, making the situation that much more absurd.

This mishap followed a bizarre incident where someone chose to sit on one of the robots, highlighting a trend of peculiar human interaction with the tech.

According to Avride, when robots are introduced to a new environment, people often feel compelled to engage with them, sometimes to the point of trying to “test” the robot’s reactions. They acknowledged that such curiosity is expected as people get accustomed to the technology. They added that these few vandalism incidents in Philadelphia haven’t derailed their plans for expansion.

The robots are designed to respond conservatively. Typically, if someone gets too close or blocks their path, the robot simply stops until the interference is cleared.

Usually, these curious moments are fleeting. People often satisfy their intrigue rather quickly and then move on. However, the company emphasizes that they do not condone any intentional damage or unsafe behavior aimed at the robots.

Lindsey Ouellette, a social psychology doctoral student at Temple University, mentioned that complaints regarding robots are not new; they’re simply targeting a newer object. Just as pedestrians can find it frustrating when others walk slowly or are glued to their phones, they may also feel the same way about delivery robots.

These robots have been deployed in numerous cities nationwide, including Austin, Dallas, and Jersey City. They ensure the security of orders by requiring customers to unlock the cargo hatch through the Uber Eats app. If anyone tries to meddle with the robot or steal it, Avride gets an alert instantly.

Each robot’s cargo compartment is securely locked and accessible only to the designated recipient via the mobile app. If unauthorized access is attempted, a remote operator is notified and can quickly assess the situation to ensure safety.

While these robots can operate autonomously, Avride has a remote support team ready to take control if anything unusual occurs. Delivery services are active in Philadelphia’s Center City, Chinatown, and Old City neighborhoods from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The robot navigates using LIDAR sensors and cameras, moving at speeds of around 8 miles per hour. Avride boasts that its robots can handle various weather conditions, including rain and snow, and can recognize and interpret traffic signals, making them safer on busy streets.

Despite some skepticism from customers, business owners view the introduction of robots as a positive opportunity. Jeff Newman, owner of Hi-Lo Taco Company, expressed that increased delivery capabilities would be beneficial for business. He noted that with rising demand for takeout, especially during rainy weather, there is a noticeable shortage of delivery drivers.