The love-em-or-hate-em robots delivering dinners across West Hollywood are probably here to stay.
The city’s Personal Delivery Device pilot program goes up for review before the Transportation & Mobility Commission on Wednesday, when city staff will make the case that the robots are more of a boon for business than a bane for residents.
The program traces its origins back to 2020, when City Council approved a license agreement allowing Postmates to have three robots deployed in WeHo for three months during daytime hours. It also mandated that robots must be chaperoned by a human operator, rather than left on autopilot.
After Postmates was purchased by Uber, the contract landed in Serve Robotics’ hands. New rules were added in 2021, including
- No riding on substandard sidewalks, particularly Romaine and Fountain Aves.
- Extended operation time until 10 p.m.
- Speed limit of 10 mph
- No chaperones necessary
- Expanded deliverables to include alcohol, tobacco and personal items
Cyan Robotics (Coco) started its operations within the pilot program last September.
The program has logged more than 31,000 deliveries since it began. Each delivery takes an average of 36 minutes, traveling 0.74 miles.
The staff report claims the program is not aware of any safety incidents regarding the delivery robots and has received only seven complaints; this stands in stark contrast to the testimonies of residents and drivers, many instances of which have been documented on video.
After Wednesday night’s review, the commission will provide a recommendation on whether to make the program permanent to City Council.
Currently, the robots are a curiosity, but I dread their population increase. The city should cap the number which are deployed.
I don’t use them. It takes too long and food is cold. I pay for a person to bring it to me as I am housebound and cannot go downstairs or elevator at times. Also since you’re addressing this the fees these services charge are outrageous plus they get as much as 20 percent kicked back by the restaurants which are taking a hit as it is with higher wages. I did watch a couple of people hitting one with skateboards on SMB. Nice people. 37 minutes is too long and I have no problem tipping a delivery person who… Read more »
Weho always doing the wrong thing.
I don’t have an issue with the robots, I just think it’s sad people are so isolated and lazy they can’t even walk down the street themselves.
Hey, City Hall, why can’t I walk down Larrabee without side-stepping the irresponsibility of a dog owner? You need to devote all of your time to quality-of-life issues in West Hollywood. Hint: delivery robots is not one of them.
Progressives: championing the earth, if only it were uninhabited.
I don’t mind these things but i’ll never get over the idea of paying insane fees just to get food delivered. Unless you’re disabled or sick I guess?
Our city has so many great restaurants that are like 5-10 min walking distance.
Delivery robots should be restricted to the new bike lanes.
“Each delivery takes an average of 36 minutes, traveling 0.74 miles.” Many people can walk that distance within about 10-15 minutes.
Stupid robots.
Wow, all these progressive idiot friendly car haters. Something comes along that takes cars off the road and all they do is bitch about jobs lost. Well guess what, that’s what a $20 minimum wage does, gives you delivery robots, self serve ordering kiosks at fast food and self serve checkouts. You reap what you sow.
Interesting that our minimum wage rules are working so well to eliminate jobs. That’s assuming robots don’t get paid.
I don’t understand how this pilot program turned from 3 AI delivery robots to so many added while in this phase. Since these robots start and deliver within West Hollywood have we become this lazy that one would wait over 30 minutes rather than walking bike or drive to get the item yourself. How about the politicians start making this city more walkable and affordable for all. And let’s look at these robots can’t use all the streets within West Hollywood. Pedestrians should come first. Let’s wait on these items until one can figure out how roads and sidewalks can… Read more »
They don’t use the streets, for pity’s sake.