Delivery robots are facing bans, petitions, and regulatory scrutiny in several cities as residents, officials, and unions raise concerns about sidewalk safety, access, and jobs.
The autonomous urban delivery vehicles use cameras, sensors and GPS to transport groceries and fast food.
Operators say the machines can identify obstacles, cross streets, and reduce traffic and emissions. However, local authorities in parts of the United States and Canada have moved to restrict them.
San Francisco has limited robot access to less busy areas, while Toronto has prohibited sidewalk use by the vehicles since 2021.
In Chicago, resident John Roberts launched a petition calling for a citywide pause until safety tests and clear rules are issued. The petition had passed 4,000 signatures by late March.
Roberts said pedestrians were being forced to move aside or step into the street to avoid robots. He cited reports of collisions, injuries and traffic problems.
Chicago Bans #Autonomous Sidewalk Delivery #Robots Over Safety and Accessibility Concerns
by @IntEngineering#Robotics #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #ML pic.twitter.com/puX2SMdnfc
— Ronald van Loon (@Ronald_vanLoon) June 18, 2026Glendale, California, is also considering a temporary ban. Councillor Ardy Kassakhian said officials were concerned about accessibility, pedestrian movement, regulation and the impact on workers.
In the UK, delivery robots are being piloted in several cities. Starship Technologies European operations director Danny Pass said the robots were programmed to be careful and had operated in UK communities since 2018.
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The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain said wider deployment could threaten delivery jobs. Research firm Transforma Insights projected that 2.1 million delivery robots could operate globally by 2034.
