New machines introduced to Cambridge to deliver shopping to residents without the expense and congestion of courier vans appear to be encountering the same mundane daily problems as humans.
The four-wheeled robots have been spotted forming long queues to cross busy roads, waiting for pedestrian crossings to turn green and even asking human passers-by for help.
In some cases, the robots, introduced into the city in recent weeks, have been seen swerving to one side to avoid growling dogs or the tiny fingers of curious children.
“They form lines and go back to their charging base together sometimes and you see them waiting patiently to cross the road,” Gary, a software engineer, told The Telegraph. “I’ve also seen them start to cross the road, but then get half way across and the lights go red and they reverse and go back again.”
Davies, a local resident, watched as a queue of seven of the delivery robots waited through three changes of lights before one took the plunge and crossed.
Another robot in the group called for help, asking a pedestrian if she would press the button for the crossing.
Describing the scene at the corner of Davy Road and Coleridge Road, Ms Davies said: “I waited for three traffic-light cycles, and one eventually crossed. I thought the first one was going to go when the lights changed, but it just started manoeuvring and shuffled a bit and then stopped.
“One of the robots asked a lady if she would press the button – I think she was rather surprised a robot was speaking to her.”
Emma Perry was walking home on Friday morning when her dog Tally lunged at one of the passing robots.
“I think they’re quite cool really, but my dog doesn’t really like them that much and barks at them. Someone told me they will stop and wait for you to get out of their way if you are standing in front of them,” she said.
Starship Technologies launched the trial scheme last month on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council, despite green campaigners saying the scheme would not work on the city’s already congested streets and pavements.
Orders are made through the Starship food-delivery app, with groceries picked by staff at Co-op stores. Delivery can be scheduled within as little as one hour and, on arrival, users are sent an alert and can unlock the robot’s carrier to access their shopping.
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