Chicago robot delivery pilot mishaps

Chicago’s sidewalk food-delivery robots are still on a city trial in 2026, and two recent crashes into bus shelters have turned the pilot into a public-safety test. (chicagotribune.com) Chicago approved the Personal Delivery Device pilot in 2022, and two companies now operate under it: Coco Robotics and Serve Robotics. Coco began appearing in late 2024, and Serve launched in September 2025. (chicago.suntimes.com) (wbez.org) The current pilot runs until May 2027, and the City Council would have to act for the robots to remain on Chicago sidewalks after that date. Mayor Brandon Johnson said the trial is meant to show “what works and what needs to be improved.” (chicagotribune.com) (abc7chicago.com) A sidewalk delivery robot is a small wheeled courier that carries takeout orders from a restaurant to a customer. In Chicago, Coco says a human remotely monitors each robot, while Serve says its machines mostly drive themselves and humans step in when needed. (wgntv.com) (wbez.org) The debate sharpened after a Serve robot smashed through a bus shelter near Grand and Racine in West Town on March 23, 2026. A Coco robot hit another shelter near North and Larrabee in Old Town the next day, and both companies said they would pay for repairs. (cbsnews.com) (abc7chicago.com) Serve said it worked with the bus shelter provider to clean up the West Town damage and review what happened. The video of that crash drew 3.6 million views on X by March 24, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. (chicago.suntimes.com) City officials and residents are arguing over what the robots do to sidewalks that already carry strollers, wheelchairs, dog walkers and bus riders. Ald. Daniel La Spata said nearly 500 First Ward residents responded to his survey and 83% strongly opposed expanding the program there. (wgntv.com) (abc7chicago.com) A petition calling for a pause until the city releases safety findings and holds a public hearing had topped 4,000 signatures by April 14. Petition organizer Josh Robertson said sidewalks should remain “people first.” (chicago.suntimes.com) (wbez.org) The companies say the robots cut short car trips and help restaurants handle more orders. Coco told the Tribune the machines reduce delivery costs, and Serve Chief Executive Ali Kashani told WBEZ the company wants to create jobs and keep improving the system. (chicagotribune.com) (wbez.org) Chicago is now using the pilot to answer a basic city question: who clears a blocked sidewalk, pays for damage, or responds when a semi-autonomous machine gets stuck or breaks something. The formal decision point is May 2027, when the trial expires unless City Council extends it. (chicagotribune.com)