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Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

blockclubchicago.org

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Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#101

Post by exasperaited »

whimsicalism wrote: post #100
exasperaited wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, if there are fewer drivers then there is room for them on the road isn’t there? Fewer drivers on the road because the pavements are becoming non-navigable because of robots nearly as wide as pavements does not sound like a benefit for anyone but drivers, and yet again demonstrates how messed up car culture is.

Yes, I would like it as part of a reclaiming of the streets for pedestrians and multi-use lanes. But fewer cars on the road is a good in itself.

More to the point, I think these things can't really replace delivery drivers until they can get there as fast as delivery drivers, which one would hope they don't plan to do on the pavement. Though I can see them pushing to go faster :-/

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#102

Post by chasd00 »

itsdesmond wrote: post #15

I live in a Chicago neighborhood where these are in use. They have very bright lights, actually blinding you as you approach one at night. They move much faster than is appropriate on a sidewalk. They position themselves in the middle of the sidewalk as opposed to the right hand side, impacting traffic in both directions. They round corners at intersections at below-eye-level, I’ve walked into more than one when they…

> I offered no aid.

My teens call them “clankers” and are by no means fans of them. I’m surprised those things aren’t constantly stolen or vandalized.

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#103

Post by tempest_ »

sleepyguy wrote: post #37
neom wrote: post #22

Toronto outright banned a startup I was helping out with in 2021, they ended up packing up and moving it to Miami- Toronto has a rule that the city should not be made more inaccessible to folks with disabilities, and that a delivery robot could potentially cause an accessibility issue on the sidewalk for blind or wheelchair using folks. They didn't reach out to the startup, or tell them about the vote happening at co…

These robots would be a significant improvement over the current electric bike and scooter riders who not only drive recklessly on the roads but also take over the sidewalks. The situation has become lawless in the city, with many delivery drivers disregarding traffic rules entirely, they are a menace to pedestrians and vehicle drivers. I would like the city council to outlaw fast food delivery entirely, accept for t…

The thing with those guys, as you have rightly pointed out is for all their problems they do get out of the way and filter through traffic (dangerously as you point out)

A single startup with cooler sized robots tottering down the sidewalk is fine. When every single delivery company gets on board then we have a shit load of those things kicking around and in the way. I have the same issues in cities with those scooters that get left all over the place.

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#104

Post by whimsicalism »

exasperaited wrote: post #101
whimsicalism wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, I would like it as part of a reclaiming of the streets for pedestrians and multi-use lanes. But fewer cars on the road is a good in itself.

More to the point, I think these things can't really replace delivery drivers until they can get there as fast as delivery drivers, which one would hope they don't plan to do on the pavement. Though I can see them pushing to go faster :-/

Perhaps that's true, I don't know the economics of the places they operate. Definitely going at speed on sidewalks would defeat the entire purpose.

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#105

Post by tempest_ »

hackingonempty wrote: post #99
trhway wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>if you're going to argue that robots are objectively worse, I'm not so sure. Robots are becoming worse. I've been living in Mountain View for more than 2 decades, and Waymo cars have been around for years. They never been an issue until recently. I already wrote how several weeks ago our car was almost front-rammed by a Waymo, we had to swerve to avoid it. And recently i saw, and today was myself cut by a Waymo when…

>i just want parity, i.e. the law should allow me to outfit my car with similar (or may be for the old time sake of being a human - with better) sensor and mechanical capabilities and to allow me to for example cut the same way in front of humans and robots like those robots do. Human drivers kill ~40,000 people a year in the USA. The last thing we need to do is enable humans to drive even more aggressively. Soon it…

Dragging out a number like that is entirely useless and makes me think you are being disingenuous.

Instead go find the accidents per 100,000 miles driven. Then make sure it takes into account that the robots only drive in fair whether places like California and Phoenix.

I think you might actually be correct in your argument but the evidence you have brought for it is poor.

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#106

Post by genericuser256 »

sleepyguy wrote: post #37
neom wrote: post #22

Toronto outright banned a startup I was helping out with in 2021, they ended up packing up and moving it to Miami- Toronto has a rule that the city should not be made more inaccessible to folks with disabilities, and that a delivery robot could potentially cause an accessibility issue on the sidewalk for blind or wheelchair using folks. They didn't reach out to the startup, or tell them about the vote happening at co…

These robots would be a significant improvement over the current electric bike and scooter riders who not only drive recklessly on the roads but also take over the sidewalks. The situation has become lawless in the city, with many delivery drivers disregarding traffic rules entirely, they are a menace to pedestrians and vehicle drivers. I would like the city council to outlaw fast food delivery entirely, accept for t…

They are frustrating to be sure, especially the moped versions, but are imo still far better to be around then drivers. I'd much rather the bike lanes to be together and throttled ebikes moved to the road, but it wouldn't make near as much a difference as getting people to not run reds or put down their phones.

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#107

Post by vorpalhex »

itsdesmond wrote: post #15

I live in a Chicago neighborhood where these are in use. They have very bright lights, actually blinding you as you approach one at night. They move much faster than is appropriate on a sidewalk. They position themselves in the middle of the sidewalk as opposed to the right hand side, impacting traffic in both directions. They round corners at intersections at below-eye-level, I’ve walked into more than one when they…

Thank you for sharing.

How do other people you know feel about them?

Do you see them get vandalized or messed with?

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#108

Post by superfish »

itsdesmond wrote: post #15

I live in a Chicago neighborhood where these are in use. They have very bright lights, actually blinding you as you approach one at night. They move much faster than is appropriate on a sidewalk. They position themselves in the middle of the sidewalk as opposed to the right hand side, impacting traffic in both directions. They round corners at intersections at below-eye-level, I’ve walked into more than one when they…

> the sidewalk is in the front yard, stupid.

> So there’s a little live reporting on the situation in the streets.

> I offered no aid.

I just want to say I find this writing style refreshing as it’s a bit out of distribution for typical HN comments. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience.

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#110

Post by Twistyfiasco »

trhway wrote: post #90
bombcar wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m not certain I’d go out of my way to avoid a collision caused by a robot car owned by a billion dollar company.

Instinct. Amygdala evolved way before FANG.

If avoiding the collision with the robot increases the risk of colliding with a human the right thing to do is plow right into that robot. Same as if an animal surprised you directly in front of your vehicle. If you swerve you are taking on risk that you don't need to.
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