Menlo Park looking into fleet of delivery robots for pilot program

This is a laugh, at least in Allied Arts where sidewalks are uncommon and where they do exist, uncommonly short, like sidewalks to nowhere.

And is there not resistance to sidewalks since they represent a departure from the "Menlo Park is a village" mindset so treasured by the residentialists?

It's not likely they'll be tested in any substantial way to serve the entire city. They'd have to go around parked vehicles and out into traffic.

Unfortunately a terrible security risk potential. Anonymous delivery of weapons, explosives etc. No thanks.

What a horrible idea! It puts everyone who uses our sidewalks at risk of being hit by these machines. Sidewalks should be used only by pedestrians -- not delivery vehicles or machines.

We need people to deliver items, not machines.

And -- who will be legally liable when these machines injure people? The business whose items are being delivered? The business who made these robots? The city which allowed the robots to use its sidewalks and streets? Big can of worms here.

The Menlo Park City council should tell Starship Technologies "No -- these robots do not belong anywhere in Menlo Park. Ever. Our decision is final." And our City Council should not waste any more of its precious time on bad ideas such as delivery robots.

go for it - what could possibly go wrong

Will they have 4 wheel drive to help them handle the horrible sidewalks - cracks, potholed and uneven from unattended tree roots?

My dog is going to attack. I'm betting on her vs the robot. I think I will order some croissants delivered to my door and see what happens. This is going to be fun!

Hi everyone, Henry from Starship Technologies here. Thank you for all of your comments so far, it's always interesting to hear people's thoughts. We want to assist the local community with our delivery robots and we want you to understand and have access to the benefits. In answer to some of your concerns -

1) The robots will only go on the sidewalks. Yes, the city does not have 100% sidewalk converage, but it is still enough to serve a majority of the local residents with our new technology. The robot can successfully navigate around parked cars and deal with rough, uneven sidewalks.
2) There is no security risk as only trusted people can open and unlock the robot. We want to work with local businesses and bigger companies that serve local businesses. We're interested in food and grocery delivery only!
3) Our friendly robots only travel at a max speed of 4mph and have not had a single accident after 11,000 miles of testing on real sidewalks - in much busier places than Menlo Park. It is highly unlikely a robot would bump into you. The robots take up as much space as a pedestrian. Our aim is to take cars off the road, to help with the traffic and congestion problem as well as reducing pollution. Each robot takes, on average, 10 cars off the road.
4) The robots have 6 wheel drive so they can climb curbs and deal with uneven surfaces, including tree branches!
5) We have had thousands of experiences with dogs and no attacks yet, maybe we can deliver your dog some treats and they can make friends!

Thanks again for all of your comments, and we hope to offer the benefits of our delivery service to you very soon. Also please feel free to contact me personally at media@starship.co with any further questions. Henry

Dumb idea. Who has liability insurance? You or Menlo Park City?

Hi VC, Starship Technologies has public liability insurance. Many thanks

@Henry: Welcome! as you can see many people here in MP live with FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt). Understandable, yet they will add comments that proves they do not research, simply assume the worse. "Does it have 4 wheels?", well the picture shows 6, and their web site shows... and the comments will go on.
MP is a place of many people with many backgrounds. those of us that have moved to embrace "newfangled things" like computers, automatic windows, etc., appreciate you and your company giving us a try.

Well done council... let's put some drivers out of work.

Look at the air pollution being saved. Wonderful ideal.

Robots are nothing but a pox on society when they displace working people on jobs that are not inherently hazardous for human beings.

Why is Trump so popular? Part of it is certainly the effect of robots and a society in which the elites, including technologists and technocrats, couldn't care less about the people put out of work by their toxic love affair with disruption and globalization.

God help the robot that comes to my door.

@ Joe: typical Trump supporter comment. The Robot makes deliveries on demand. Try doing something to the robot and see what happens.

Because I feel deeply for the working man and the working woman, you call me a Trump supporter?

Wow. You've got some thinking to do about stereotypes and whether it's worth it to allow them to hang around in your mind.

I am sure that the Robots will be nicer than the people that run Mademoiselle Colette. Nothing like paying $5 for a latte and getting scowled at by the barista. Terrible, terrible service there.

While Menlo Park dithers Redwood City decides:

"REDWOOD CITY (KRON)—Redwood City officials approved a pilot program this week that allows robots to deliver groceries and restaurant food to homes and businesses.

Starship Technologies Inc. will launch the service with 20 robots.

It will begin next month and last for nine months."

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