Delivery Robot Incident Raises Accessibility Concerns (Acting Erratically) After Near Collision in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA — A man with cerebral palsy is speaking out about accessibility and safety after a delivery robot reportedly moved “erratically” and nearly collided with his mobility scooter earlier this month.

Mark Chaney said he was heading home in Los Angeles on September 13 when he encountered a Serve Robotics cart traveling at about 3 mph. He told local outlets that the robot “cut him off” and suddenly braked in front of his scooter, causing him to bump into it.

Robot’s Movements Spark Concern

Chaney said he first noticed the robot acting strangely and tried to film the incident after it nearly hit him once before. In his footage, he captured the robot stopping abruptly and blocking his path.

“The robot had been acting strangely… I tried to give it lots of room to pass, and it cut me off. Then it hit the brakes right in front of me, and I bumped into it,” he explained.

Chaney later alleged the robot reversed into him, causing his scooter to jolt backward. Serve Robotics, however, denied that claim, saying the robot “abruptly stopped” as part of its fail-safe system and that there was only “a single instance of contact.”

Serve Robotics Responds

In a statement, Serve Robotics said the robot’s safety system, which is designed to predict pedestrian movement and yield, instead caused it to block Chaney’s way.

The company added that its robots are built with 360-degree visibility and are intended to prioritize safety for all pedestrians, including those with disabilities. Serve said it regrets when incidents fall short of those standards and confirmed it is establishing an Accessibility Council to gather feedback from disability advocates.

“We design our robots to not be an impediment to others, in particular to those with disabilities, and we regret when we do not live up to that,” the company said.

Advocate Calls for Disability Inclusion in Design

Chaney, who is a disability advocate, criticized the lack of real-world testing with wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers.

“If you’re not testing [delivery robots] against wheelchairs, scooters or walkers, then you’re not designing for everyone,” he said.

He also warned that the outcome could have been worse if he had been using crutches instead of his scooter, saying such a fall could have led to weeks of recovery.

“At minimum, they need to include people with disabilities in the room when these systems are designed,” he added.

Ongoing Debate Over Safety

Days after the incident, Chaney wrote on Instagram that Serve Robotics acknowledged a possible sensor malfunction. He also expressed worry that his complaint might be dismissed.

“I want these emerging technologies to be safe,” he said. “Disability sometimes makes you feel powerless. I truly hope for change.”

The near-collision came just days before another Serve Robotics cart briefly blocked a Los Angeles fire truck at an intersection, raising broader questions about how these delivery devices interact with emergency services and public safety.

Do you think delivery robots are ready to share sidewalks with people using mobility devices? Share your thoughts in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.