Campaigners are criticizing Co-op for using autonomous grocery delivery robots to bring items to customers, warning that the machines could make pavements less safe and less accessible for pedestrians. Living Streets, a walking charity formerly known as the Pedestrians’ Association, has written to Co-op interim chief executive Kate Allum regarding the retailer’s partnership with Starship Technologies for robot deliveries. The charity and other critics argue that the presence and operation of delivery robots on footpaths may create hazards for people walking, including those with mobility needs, if the robots are not managed effectively.
The complaints focus on potential safety and accessibility impacts rather than specific incidents. The criticism is presented as a broader concern about how autonomous delivery devices are deployed in public spaces. Co-op’s response is not included in the provided material. The story centers on whether robot deliveries are compatible with pedestrian safety standards and whether the technology’s use on pavements is sufficiently controlled and communicated.
