San Francisco has permitted the on-demand delivery company, Postmates, to test it’s automated delivery robots on sidewalks throughout the city.

Serve.Postmates.com

The permits are only active for 180 days, but they will allow for Postmates to deploy up to three automated delivery robots for testing.  In 2017, several companies were testing out autonomous robots throughout San Francisco, ultimately resulting in the city banning testing without a permit.  Postmates has scored the first permit since then, with a few restrictions.  The robots can not be deployed in high traffic areas and a human must be within 30-feet during testing.

“We’ve been eager to work directly with cities to seek a collaborative and inclusive approach to robotic deployment that respects our public rights of way, includes community input, and allows cities to develop thoughtful regulatory regimes,” – a Postmates representative

The delivery robots, known as Serve, were unveiled in December.  The automated buckets on wheels are equipped with several cameras and a 50 lbs. capacity compartment designed to navigate sidewalks and deliver goods ordered by customers on-demand.  The automated rovers also employ a touchscreen complete with a video chat display.  A human pilot will monitor fleets of the robots.

Postmates lands first-ever permit to test sidewalk delivery robots in San Francisco

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