Research in four major US cities has shown that delivery robots struggle with poor city infrastructure. While they operate in well maintained university and technology campuses they find issues in poorly maintained footpaths and a number of other obstacles on city streets.

The research, sponsored by the John S and James L Knight Foundation, was supposed to look at the socioeconomic changes brought about by human-carrying robotaxis but this was altered during the pandemic to look at delivery robots.

Kiwibot delivery robots were deployed in Pittsburgh, Miami-Dade, San Jose and Detroit. They found difficulties with issues like poorly maintained pedestrian footpaths and pedestrian crossings that went from green to red too quickly. Another issue was getting from the road onto pavements when there was no dropped curb.

Director the research project Lilian Coral said that until such issues were problematic for delivery robots and until resolved in a city or town where they operate they will not be able to be used for essential deliveries such as medications.

“Companies need more time to test and perfect these technologies on real streets with people, and this is where cities, residents and the private sector need to come together to innovate,” Coral said.