Delivery robots have taken over Los Angeles, spreading across the city's sidewalks and sparking a mix of pity and hatred among residents. The region, already known for its lack of walkability, now faces new obstacles as fleets of autonomous boxes on wheels hurry past pedestrians, delivering smoothies and salads. This month, Serve Robotics deployed another 500 robots across 40 neighborhoods, up from just two in 2023. Coco Robotics, founded at UCLA in 2020, operates about 300 robots and plans to expand further.
Mixed Reactions on Sunset Boulevard
On a recent Tuesday along Sunset Boulevard, workers and residents expressed mixed feelings. At Pazzo Gelato, barista Lula Ochoa described the robots as a minor nuisance, blocking foot traffic and causing congestion between outdoor tables. Kids sometimes sit on them. At Millie's Cafe, a staff member who asked to remain anonymous said, "We hate them. They're blocking the way and they're hitting people." Across the street at Kreation, staff worry about job losses for drivers and challenges for wheelchair users.
Pity and Hate at Wine Bars
On weekend evenings, crowds gather outside the wine bar Seco, creating a dense corridor. Executive chef David Potes notes that robots get stuck in the crowds, and when they finally get through, people cheer. "My friends both pity them and hate them," he said. During recent rainstorms, a delivery robot went viral as it struggled to make deliveries, prompting comments like "She's doing her best, you guys." Serve robots even display messages asking pedestrians to push crosswalk buttons for them.
Safety and Job Concerns
Despite their cute appearance, the robots have caused incidents. A New Jersey cyclist reported being hit by an Avride robot, suffering a head injury and broken collarbone. Avride claims its fleet operates in accordance with traffic laws. A robot shattered a bus shelter glass wall in Chicago. In LA, a Waymo collided with a delivery robot in 2024, though neither was damaged. The expansion also raises concerns about job losses for delivery drivers, even though some robots are human-controlled.
Benefits and Adaptations
On the positive side, robots don't emit exhaust fumes or add to road traffic. They can operate in inclement weather, when driving is less safe. Coco co-founder Zach Rash notes that bad weather is when everyone wants to order. At sports bar 33 Taps, Joe McDonough compared the growing pains to early railways, saying "any new tech is going to have its bugs." Serve CEO Ali Kashani says the company tries to be very engaged with the city.
Research and Robotability Scores
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a "robotability score," inspired by walkability scores, to help manage robot deployments. Matt Franchi, a doctoral student, says the score is community-centric and respects existing pedestrian patterns. Steven Gehrke of Northern Arizona University recommends barring robots from narrow or busy streets and setting aside special parking areas. Others opt for resistance: a young person near 33 Taps demonstrated how to turn off a stationary robot, calling LA "one of the worst cities to be a pedestrian" and questioning the social benefit of the devices.
