Monday, December 1, 2025

Chicago Delivery Robots Spark Debate Over Sidewalk Use

In Chicago, a growing debate is unfolding about the presence of delivery robots on the city's sidewalks. Two companies, Coco and Serve, have been operating small robots to transport meals to customers, but not everyone is pleased with their presence. A petition, launched in November, has gathered over 1,200 signatures from concerned citizens who believe that sidewalks are meant for people, not robots.

The petition's creator, Josh Robertson, initially felt a thrill of excitement when he first spotted the robots navigating the sidewalks. He saw them as a glimpse of the future, a novelty that could potentially change the way people ___d and interacted. However, his enthusiasm was short-___d. When he encountered one of the robots while strolling, he instinctively stepped aside, highlighting the tension between pedestrians and robots.

Robertson's concerns about safety and job security prompted him to launch a campaign calling for more transparency about the robots. His personal experience with one of the robots was unsettling. He recounted to CBS News how he stumbled and hit his eyelid on the visibility flag attached to the robot, resulting in a trip to urgent care and stitches.

The issue has sparked a heated discussion about the role of technology in everyday ___.

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⁘Chicago sidewalks are for people, not delivery robots,⁘ so says a petition that seeks to rid the city⁘s streets of the wheel-based contraptions.
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