Food Delivery Robots In Chicago Yield Complaints, Petition Signed By Thousands

CHICAGO ? Thousands have signed a petition calling for a pause on the delivery robots that have become an increasingly common sight on Chicago sidewalks in recent years.

Companies Coco and Serve released their AI-powered robots in the city to deliver restaurant meals to Chicagoans who?d rather stay in. Coco came to Chicago in 2024 and Serve launched its robots locally earlier this year.

But many of the city's non-robotic pedestrians would prefer not to share the sidewalk. Nearly 2,500 as of Monday had signed the petition, which calls for a pause on the robots pending safety and Americans with Disabilities Act findings, data evaluation and information about how the robots impact local jobs.

In a recent conversation on Reddit?s r/chicago subreddit, users complained about the robots? apparent struggles navigating winter weather and bike lanes.

?They're using our public infrastructure, making a nuisance of our sidewalks and not paying into the community,? one Reddit user wrote. ?All of this to replace human labor and pocketing the difference.?

Josh Robertson, a Lincoln Park resident who started the petition, cited reports of robots pushing people off sidewalks, hitting bicyclists and deterring emergency vehicles, according to Block Club Chicago.

Viggy Ram, vice president of policy for Serve, said the company is trying to make food delivery safer and more sustainable, Block Club Chicago reported, adding Serve knows about the petition, welcomes feedback and hopes to expand into more neighborhoods.

Coco told the publication that safety and community partnership are its top priorities and that it has strong community support.

?We maintain strict protocols for sidewalk safety, ADA compliance and incident response,? a company representative told Block Club Chicago.

Residents of the 44th and 46th wards are being asked to answer surveys about the topic by their alderpersons.