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Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

blockclubchicago.org

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Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#171

Post by hyperjeff »

ElijahLynn wrote: post #2

Valid points by those concerned with taking over the sidewalks. I will also say, people riding electric scooters shouldn't be zooming along at 20mph (or pedal bikes) on sidewalks either, which are a true safety hazard. And on the other side, much better for our environment, to have a lighter weight robot delivering a burrito than a 2,000lb vehicle, in terms of net energy consumption/expenditure.

Bikes and scooters aren’t legal on sidewalks in Chicago, and these little robots are just clogging up what little pedestrian space still exists. Totally apart from the questionable ethics of gratuitously using tech for tasks that could be a job for someone.

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#172

Post by rubzah »

MereInterest wrote: post #133
whyenot wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why are you assuming that a human would be more efficient and better for the environment than an electrically powered robot? It is very inefficient (approx 25%) to use food as an energy source, and humans are always burning energy. They can't turn off at night or when they are idle. I think it is very likely that the robot would be better for the environment than the person.

> Why are you assuming that a human would be more efficient and better for the environment than an electrically powered robot? Because bicycles use 5x less energy per mile than electric scooters, which would be a reasonable analogue for slow electric delivery robots [0]. > It is very inefficient (approx 25%) to use food as an energy source, By comparison, fossil fuel conversions are about 30-45%, depending on the ene…

I live in a place with excellent bicycle infrastructure. All the delivery people ride electric bicycles. A robot would be that, minus the human. So probably better in terms of energy expenditure, cost, etc.

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#173

Post by tptacek »

hyperjeff wrote: post #171
ElijahLynn wrote: post #2

Valid points by those concerned with taking over the sidewalks. I will also say, people riding electric scooters shouldn't be zooming along at 20mph (or pedal bikes) on sidewalks either, which are a true safety hazard. And on the other side, much better for our environment, to have a lighter weight robot delivering a burrito than a 2,000lb vehicle, in terms of net energy consumption/expenditure.

Bikes and scooters aren’t legal on sidewalks in Chicago, and these little robots are just clogging up what little pedestrian space still exists. Totally apart from the questionable ethics of gratuitously using tech for tasks that could be a job for someone.

Wait, the first part I get: the robots are basically motor scooters, don't belong on sidewalks, sure. But the last bit, about "taking tasks that could be a job for someone" --- that's the lamplighter fallacy, isn't it?

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#174

Post by nickthegreek »

yieldcrv wrote: post #140
et-al wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where is this a solved problem? No one likes these things. Seth Rogan reflects the zeitgeist in Platonic .

Los Angeles, including Santa Monica, LA City, West Hollywood others

So no snow and not much rain?

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#175

Post by y0eswddl »

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…

waves from Ogden and Chicago

hate those things. I'm ready to start kicking them out the way

Re: Delivery robots take over Chicago sidewalks

#176

Post by HDThoreaun »

hyperjeff wrote: post #171
ElijahLynn wrote: post #2

Valid points by those concerned with taking over the sidewalks. I will also say, people riding electric scooters shouldn't be zooming along at 20mph (or pedal bikes) on sidewalks either, which are a true safety hazard. And on the other side, much better for our environment, to have a lighter weight robot delivering a burrito than a 2,000lb vehicle, in terms of net energy consumption/expenditure.

Bikes and scooters aren’t legal on sidewalks in Chicago, and these little robots are just clogging up what little pedestrian space still exists. Totally apart from the questionable ethics of gratuitously using tech for tasks that could be a job for someone.

As someone who has lived in chicago for 30 years I dont mind telling you that laws are not enforced here. Bikes and scooters not being legal on sidewalks has not stopped a single person from biking and scootering on the sidewalk
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