However, we introduced the trial following an extensive technical process to understand the risk and manage the risk and the contract that we have with Starship as part of the trial is flexible and allows us to be very responsive.Shopping in the 21st century has become easier than ever with everything beyond your wildest dreams is just one click away. “As the paper says, it remains the case that that legislation is still forthcoming and there is a degree of risk with that and a certain degree that we carry the liability on that. In discussion with other areas that have got these robots running around their networks we felt that it was an appropriate step to almost help that process, to help to understand how this technology can work on the network in a way that is safe. We know that the Department for Transport is very interested in this technology and will be putting out legislation in due course. Mr Allatt said: “This is just a trial, we know that there is legislation still to come. Cllr Sharp said if this ended up being the case he was ‘not sure where the council could go from then’. The report said it was “likely” the robots could fall within the definition of a ‘mechanically propelled vehicle’ and if so would mean they could not be used on pavements. He said the person then operating it would be able to see using a camera on the robot and could move it out of the way if needed too for a wheelchair user to pass by.Ĭouncillor Alan Sharp said he was concerned about the legal side highlighting that the report presented to the committee said the Department for Transport had confirmed delivery robots were not yet defined in legislation. She highlighted that some of the pavements in the new areas planned for the trial were “not good enough” and asked how the robot would know to go past someone on a mobility scooter or wheelchair.Ĭllr Beckett said the robots would stop at a safe distance, and added that “one of the nice things” about the robots was that they did not have the same time pressures as other delivery drivers and so could wait longer for people to go round them.Ĭouncillor Mark Howell also explained that if the robot realised it could not get around something it could then be taken over manually. Councillor Geri Bird said she was not against the scheme but said she did have some worries. Very narrow footways may be excluded to avoid obstruction with people attempting to walk, wheel, or push buggies.”Ĭouncillor Alex Beckett, chair of the committee, added that it was important to trial the robots in areas where it will be a challenge, but said they “will obviously have to be careful”. They said: “Does anyone really believe that a trial of these robots would work in a place like Romsey with uneven, potholed pavements, covered with parked cars? Is it really fair to add another obstruction to people attempting to walk, wheel and push buggies in this area?”ĭavid Allatt, assistant director for transport strategy and network management at the county council, said: “The area of south east Cambridge will indeed be a challenge, there are some areas which are not suitable and would not be covered by the robots. Concerns over whether the robots will be able to work in some of the planned areas of the city was one of the questions raised by a representative of the group CamCycle. The trial is now planned to be expanded to the Longstanton and Northstowe area, as well as in south east Cambridge, in Cherry Hinton, Romsey, and Queen Edith’s. Read more: Cambridge 40 short stay flats will be built as developer wins appeal A report presented to the Highways and Transport Committee earlier today (Tuesday, October 4) said there had been “overwhelming support” for the robots in Cambourne. The county council has said the robots can help reduce the number of short car trips to shops, and that they can also help deliver essential items to people with mobility issues who may struggle to get to the shop. The trial was first launched in Cambourne in May this year, with robots making short deliveries of hot and cold food ordered by people through an app. The food delivery robot trial is being run by Starship Technology on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council. However, concerns were raised about the space available and how this could impact other people using the pavements, such as wheelchair and mobility scooter users. The food delivery robot trial, which is currently being run in Cambourne, is due to be expanded into some areas of the city. Questions have been raised over whether self driving delivery robots will be able to use ‘narrow and potholed’ pavements in Cambridge.
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