Washigton DC set to allow delivery robots operate on sidewalks

Washington has become the eighth state to greenlight the use of delivery robots on sidewalks and crosswalks.

Governor Jay Inslee signed the bill on Friday, following support from Starship Technologies, which specializes in autonomous last-mile and local deliveries.

Proponents of delivery robots tout reduced congestion and pollution, since the robots are primarily electric, plus they give local business a competitive advantage.

Companies that are otherwise lacking a delivery infrastructure can use the technology to regain an edge from the likes of Amazon.

Read also: DATA MISUSE: Facebook sues South Korean analytics firm

However, others say that such devices pose a risk to pedestrians, although there’s no evidence of any major safety incidents as yet.

Using a combination of computer vision, GPS and machine learning, the robots are designed to autonomously map their environment, navigate crowded areas and avoid obstacles.

Virginia paved the way for delivery robots back in 2017, and Idaho, Wisconsin, Florida, Ohio, Utah and Arizona have since followed suit. Other areas, such as San Francisco, are still grappling with the legislation involved.

But with major global companies such as FedEx taking an increasing interest in the technology, states around the US will have to address the issue sooner rather than later.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now