Robots Making Deliveries: Concord May Streamline Permit Process

CONCORD, CA — The city of Concord already has multiple permit agreements in place for delivery robots, and city staff are asking the council to help them streamline the permitting process.

In permit agreements reached with Starship Technologies and Marble Robotics in 2017, city engineers stipulated that applying companies will assume all liability for the robots' use, provide at least $2 million in insurance for any single incident, monitor their robots at all times when operating in the city's right of way and report any collisions or safety issues within 24 hours.

Starship Technologies and Marble Robotics have both avoided any kind of safety incidents so far.

Marble's encroachment permit is set to expire in October, but city staff say they intend to seek an extension. Starship already gained a two-year extension that is set to expire Dec. 31, 2020.

According to staff, authorizing the city manager to handle the permit process will streamline approvals and extension, encouraging other tech firms to test their autonomous technology in Concord and cementing the city's role as an innovation hub.

The City Council will take the matter up during its regularly scheduled meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the council chamber at 1950 Parkside Drive. The meeting agenda is available online.

— Bay City News Service