Troublesome delivery robots damage gardens, snarl streets

Concerns over delivery robot safety are spreading across Los Angeles, including Koreatown, as the number of autonomous food couriers grows rapidly. Residents report blocked sidewalks, damaged property, and confusion over accident response. As a result, questions are mounting about oversight and accountability.

Food delivery robots now travel along busy sidewalks in dense urban neighborhoods. However, some residents say the machines obstruct pedestrians and cause property damage. In addition, critics argue that current safety standards have not kept pace with their expansion.

Soochan Lee, a security guard at a company in LA Koreatown, described a recent incident. “A robot got stuck on a tree root in front of our lawn,” he said. “Because of that, the sprinkler system could not operate.” He added that he hesitated to touch the machine out of concern over liability if it malfunctioned.

Office worker Jisoo Kim reported another close call. She said she nearly collided with a delivery robot while riding an electric scooter on Wilshire Boulevard. “It suddenly stopped,” she said. “It also blocks pedestrian paths at crosswalks.” Therefore, she questioned whether adequate safeguards exist.

Property damage cases have also emerged. On February 22, KTLA reported that a delivery robot became caught in a fence outside a home in East Hollywood. It then entered the yard and damaged several flower pot stands. The robot also dragged parts of the fence and palm leaves into the street.

Resident Kaiya Lill said the robot struck a parked vehicle during the incident. “I chased it to stop it, but it kept moving,” she said.

The delivery robot company Coco Robotics responded to the case. The firm said it would compensate for damages and take internal steps to prevent recurrence. Vice President Karl Hansen stated that remote operators monitor each robot in real time. “They can intervene immediately if needed,” he said. He added that field teams deploy quickly when problems occur.

Reports tied to delivery robot safety also appear on social media. On the online platform Reddit, users described various incidents. One wrote that a dog was hit during a walk. Another said a robot forced a sudden stop while driving. Others cited collisions with parked motorcycles or near falls at crosswalks because the machines were difficult to see. One user claimed a robot remained stopped in the middle of a road for more than 30 minutes.

The controversy has even reached entertainment platforms. A satirical song titled “autonomous delivery robot” on YouTube has recorded 1.67 million views.

Emergency situations have also involved these machines. In January, an ambulance transporting a patient collided with a delivery robot in Hollywood, delaying the transfer. In addition, last September, a robot that stopped abruptly collided with a person using an electric wheelchair.

Experts say cities must clarify operating standards and liability rules. Urban areas mix pedestrians, vehicles and emergency responders. Therefore, clearer regulations may reduce risk. They also emphasize safety design standards that consider seniors and people with disabilities. Without policy updates, critics warn that delivery robot safety gaps could widen as the technology expands.