(MENAFN- Robotics & Automation News) Chicago residents push to pause delivery robot pilot over safety and accessibility concerns

November 27, 2025 by David Edwards

More than 800 Chicago residents have signed a petition calling on the city to pause its sidewalk delivery robot pilot, citing safety, accessibility and privacy concerns as more machines begin operating in neighbourhoods such as Lakeview.

The petition, hosted at NoSidewalkBots, urges the city to“pause the sidewalk-robot program until CDOT & BACP release safety & ADA findings, evaluate that data and local job impacts in a public hearing, and set clear rules.”

CBS Chicago reported that the robots – operated by Serve Robotics and Coco Robotics – are now a common sight in parts of the North Side. But not every resident is comfortable sharing the pavement with them.

Josh Robertson, who created the petition, told CBS he first welcomed the idea.“I'm a Star Wars fan. My initial reaction was, 'Finally, droids are here,'” he said.

His view changed after meeting one of the robots while out with his family.“This was a vehicle coming toward us. It has cameras, its bright headlights were shining in full force, and we instinctively got out of its way,” he said.

“That's what people reflexively do when vehicles are coming in the same lane toward them, but this was pedestrians in the pedestrian space.”

Robertson told CBS he now worries what will happen as the city allows more deployments.“Sidewalks have to be accessible for everyone; they have to be safe. Those aren't negotiable,” he said.

Accessibility is a major theme in the petition feedback, with residents reporting robots blocking pavements, stopping in crosswalks and creating obstacles for people using wheelchairs, walkers or crutches. CBS also reported incidents involving collisions.

One resident, Anthony Jonas, described a crash that left him injured.“It's doing a lot better today. I do have a little bit of a scar still there,” he said.

“And I stumbled over it, and I whacked my eyelid against the visibility flag that's attached to the robot... blood and urgent care, stitches. the whole thing.”

Serve and Coco told CBS they follow the city's regulations, track safety reports and review“all evidence”, including video recordings.

Both companies said their robots cannot exceed 5 mph and automatically slow down near pedestrians. According to BACP, companies are required to report any injuries involving their devices.

The city's Personal Delivery Device pilot – introduced in 2022 – is set to run until at least May 2026. According to BACP, it will not continue past May 2027 without City Council approval.

The petition, however, argues that Chicago should slow down now. As the campaign's headline states:“Chicago sidewalks are for people, not delivery robots.”

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