In Chicago, the debate over food delivery robots is heating up. Proponents see these autonomous machines as a leap into the future of delivery services, while others express concerns about potential sidewalk congestion. Regardless of the perspective, there’s no denying the buzz surrounding these high-tech couriers, which are becoming increasingly common across the city.

These small, wheeled robots, operated by companies such as Coco and Uber, are now a familiar sight in several neighborhoods throughout Chicago. Their presence marks a new era in urban delivery, transforming the way food is transported from restaurants to customers.

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The robots have captured the public’s imagination, gaining popularity on social media as users share videos and photos of them navigating the city streets to fulfill delivery orders. Their journeys often draw attention, showcasing the novelty of robotic delivery.

However, these robots are not without their challenges. On occasion, they encounter obstacles, such as getting trapped in the snow, which highlights the ongoing need for technological advancements and adaptations.

Equipped with batteries, cameras, and sensors, these robots are designed to independently maneuver sidewalks, cross streets, and dodge pedestrians, blending technology with everyday life.

But Caity Collins says she had too close of an encounter with one.

“The other day I was walking, and one rammed straight into the back of my leg. And it’s not great,” said Collins, who works at The Pasta Bowl in Lincoln Park.

Lincoln Park is one of the neighborhoods where delivery robots are common, especially at dinner time.

Ethan Venzon says, at times, several robots have waited outside the restaurant for deliveries.

“Sometimes it’s kind of in the way. It takes up a lot of the sidewalk,” Venzon said.

It’s that congestion that prompted Josh Robertson to start a petition calling for the city to hit pause on the robots and provide more safety data, saying sidewalks are for people.

So far, he’s gotten 2,500 people to sign on.

“We’re getting reports of collisions with people, with pets, with bicyclists, getting reports of obstruction,” Robertson said.

Vignesh Ram, with Serve Robotics, one of two companies that have introduced the delivery bots to Chicago, says he’s aware of the petition and welcomes any feedback.

Ram says the robots make deliveries no farther than a mile and a half away, and have less of an impact on the environment.

“Robots at the end of the day carry 1/3,000th the kinetic energy of a car. They travel more slowly. They don’t present the risk that cars that do deliveries can do,” Ram said.

In the meantime, a couple of Chicago aldermen recently sent out surveys to their constituents, asking for their feedback on the delivery bots. That information is still being gathered.