UK ministers are planning to change the law to allow small delivery robots to travel on pavements across England. Currently, these six-wheeled machines operate in a legal "grey area" under a very old law from 1835. The government wants to create a new set of rules to regulate them, similar to e-scooters.
These autonomous robots, made by Starship Technologies, are already a common sight in several English towns. In Milton Keynes, the service has been running since 2018. Over the past eight years, local people have become very familiar with the cooler-sized machines rolling down their streets.
Many residents in Milton Keynes have welcomed the technology. Amrita Singh, who regularly uses the service, called the robot "a very good gadget" for parents with children and people who cannot easily leave the house due to illness. Another resident, George Domnar, said his sons love the robots, while resident Stacey Cordes stated that people should treat the machines with respect.
If the law is changed, Starship Technologies plans to expand its business significantly. The company hopes to deploy at least 10,000 delivery robots across England and might even start manufacturing them locally.
However, the plan has also raised concerns. Pedestrian safety and disability advocacy groups, such as the charity Living Streets, are worried about pavement congestion. They recently launched a campaign called "Pavement Overload," arguing that the robots could block paths and create dangerous hazards for wheelchair users, elderly people, and those with visual impairments.