Skateboarders Vandalize and Destroy Food Delivery Robot in Shocking Street Incident

Even after things reopened, a lot of restaurants and tech companies kept using autonomous delivery robots to help move orders around cities faster and with less human contact.

In recent months, though, some of these robots have been getting damaged while out on deliveries.

There have been videos circulating showing skateboarders and other individuals kicking them over, blocking them, and in some cases taking the food inside before the robot can complete its route.

These incidents are starting to create problems for both restaurants and the companies running the machines.

Local business owners say it usually means extra work and extra cost when something goes wrong. Steve Avila, general manager of Blu Jam Café in Hollywood, explained that when a delivery gets interrupted, the order has to be prepared again.

Companies that operate these robots say most deliveries still go through without issues. Serve Robotics, which runs many of the units in West Hollywood, has said that the vast majority of deliveries are still completed successfully, with only a small number affected by interference.

Other operators have also shared details about how the robots are built to deal with interference. One company, Starship Technologies, said the machines are designed to try to navigate around obstacles when they can.

If someone is blocking the path, the robot may attempt to move around or give a message asking for space.

If someone tampers with it, alerts are triggered and the event is recorded. The robots are also locked and equipped with multiple cameras along with alarms to help protect both the device and the delivery.

Even with those safeguards, incidents still happen from time to time. In the case involving skateboarders and others damaging a delivery robot, the video shows the machine being knocked around and left unable to continue its route.

It is the kind of situation that quickly spreads online and raises questions about how to better protect these devices while they are out in public spaces.

Some people who regularly see the robots in their neighborhoods say they are useful for local stores and customers. Clark Childers, a customer of a small business in West Hollywood, shared his thoughts, saying, “They are helping small businesses and they are not causing any harm. I think people are just looking for attention.”

As more restaurants and delivery services continue using robotic systems, companies are now balancing expansion with the challenge of keeping the equipment safe while it moves through busy streets.