Opinion: Delivery Robots Need Regulation Now

Writing in Policy Options, Gavin MacGregor and Mischa Young argue that cities should develop strategies for mitigating the negative impacts of delivery robots and “ensure this intrusive technology does not disadvantage city sidewalk users.”

As MacGregor and Young note, delivery robots, which have been deployed in cities around the world, can “impede pedestrian flow, cause discomfort and amplify navigation challenges in crowded pedestrian environments.” Larger and heavier robots could mean a higher risk of injuries if they collide with pedestrians. “Broader adoption of delivery robots could turn less frequent incidents into a wider problem for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users.”

The authors point out that the proliferation of delivery robots could disproportionately impact people with mobility challenges and the elderly. “Too often, the deployment of new urban technologies focuses on those who stand to benefit while overlooking those who could be excluded or burdened by them.”

The authors write that cities could avoid getting blindsided in the same way they did when ride-hailing companies like Uber were suddenly introduced on city streets to ensure the technology is deployed safely and equitably, not at the expense of vulnerable populations and public space. “A proactive and pre-emptive policy framework is essential to mitigate potential challenges associated with the widespread deployment of these delivery technologies.”