Just Eat Delivery Robots spark concern after councillor’s dog nearly hit
just eat delivery robots trial on Gloucester Road in Bristol has sparked safety concerns after a councillor’s dog was almost run over. The machines have been operating over the past month and Bristol City Council says it was not informed and currently has no policy on delivery robots, prompting staff to investigate permissions and safety. The trial, run in partnership with Delivers. AI, uses small wheeled machines equipped with cameras and designed to travel at low speeds on pavements while transporting food.
What happened
Councillors raised the issue at a member forum meeting on Tuesday, March 10 (ET), where it emerged that a Green councillor’s very small dog narrowly avoided being hit by one of the devices. Ed Plowden, chair of the transport policy committee, said the incident highlighted new risks for residents and criticised parts of the delivery industry for externalising risk onto the public.
the council the trial had been planned as a small-scale ground robotics project. The machines are fitted with cameras that allow them to navigate streets and are intended for pedestrian environments, operating at low speeds on pavements. A company spokesperson involved in the trial said the trial included risk assessments and that the operator had not been contacted by the council with any specific concerns.
At the same meeting Plowden argued that while the technology is new, safety checks and stronger national rules are needed so operators meet licensing and health and safety requirements. The council has asked staff to investigate how the trial is being conducted and what permission, if any, was required for the deployment of the devices.
Just Eat Delivery Robots trial draws council scrutiny
Local councillors pressed for clarity on how just eat delivery robots are being managed after staff were told the city authority had not been informed beforehand. Edwin Thompson, a software engineer who works with mechanical systems, said he did not agree with the introduction of the robots in the city and warned they could cause issues for people using pavements with mobility needs. “I prefer a human delivering me my food, ” he added.
The trial partner named in council briefings is Delivers. AI, and the company running the trial has said it worked on planning and safety assessments and has engaged with a road safety charity to promote safe delivery practices. Councillors noted that couriers are independent contractors and that operators have limits in how they can control vehicles used for deliveries.
What happens next
Bristol City Council staff will investigate the permissions and safety work behind the trial and report back to councillors, and Plowden said he would like to see stronger national rules to ensure operators are properly licensed. The row over the presence of just eat delivery robots on Gloucester Road has already prompted calls for clearer local powers and tighter oversight.
As the inquiry proceeds, councillors will monitor whether risk assessments and the reported low-speed, pavement-focused design of the machines address concerns raised at the meeting on Tuesday, March 10 (ET); residents and officials will be watching whether further incidents occur involving the trial of just eat delivery robots.
