Residents in Philadelphia have been adjusting to robot delivery drivers for about a month now, and it seems they’re not thrilled about the change. On March 10, Uber Eats showcased its new autonomous delivery robot, Avride, which launched in the city that same week.
Initially dubbed the “future of delivery,” the robot quickly drew some ire from locals. In late March, one Uber Eats delivery robot was kicked multiple times in the bustling Center City area, and the second kick caused it to topple over. Notably, an incident involving someone sitting on the robot also made headlines.
Avride, the company behind the robot, explained that reactions like curiosity are common when such technology is introduced. They noted that people might “test” how the robot behaves, such as stepping in its path or attempting direct interaction. Despite the vandalism that occurred, they remain committed to expanding their service area.
“Robots respond conservatively; if someone approaches, they typically stop and wait before continuing their route,” the company stated. It seems that the novelty of these robots attracts attention, but the company insists they do not condone any form of intentional damage or dangerous behavior.
A doctoral student from Temple University, Lindsey Ouellette, suggested that people’s frustration with delivery robots isn’t entirely new. Just as pedestrians can get annoyed by slow walkers or people glued to their phones, they can also find faults with robots navigating the streets.
Delivery robots have launched in various cities, including Austin and Dallas. To keep deliveries safe, customers must unlock the robot’s cargo hatch using the Uber Eats app. If there’s any tampering or theft attempt, Avride has measures in place to notify them immediately.
The company’s site explains that each robot’s compartment is securely locked and can only be opened by the intended recipient. If someone tries to access it without authorization, a remote operator steps in to assess the situation via the robot’s sensory feed.
While the robot operates autonomously, there’s also a remote support team ready to take control if anything unusual happens. In Philadelphia, these robotic deliveries are available in areas like Center City, Chinatown, and Old City from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., navigating at a speed of about 8 miles per hour using LIDAR and cameras.
According to Avride, their robots can handle various weather conditions, including rain and snow, and can interpret traffic signals, which helps them manage city streets more safely.
Despite some public skepticism, business owners view the introduction of robot delivery drivers as a positive opportunity. Jeff Newman, who owns Hi-Lo Taco Company, remarked, “I think it’s good for us to have more ability to deliver food.” He noted an uptick in takeout demand, especially as the rainy season starts, but mentioned a shortage of human drivers.
In summary, although the introduction of delivery robots is met with mixed feelings from the public, businesses seem hopeful about their potential.
