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Uber Eats delivery robots vandalised in Sheffield

Mick LunneyYorkshire
JJ ETESON Robotic delivery vehicles with spray paint on them and a visibility flagpole bent to the ground. A sad face has been spray-painted on one of the robots in black paint.JJ ETESON
The robots are operated by the company Starship Technologies

New robotic food delivery equipment being used in a Sheffield suburb has been vandalised with spray paint.

A vertical pole with an orange flag on one of the robots - designed to make it visible as it travels the streets of Meersbrook making deliveries for the food-ordering app Uber Eats - was bent to the ground.

A charging station alongside a scout hut has also been defaced and traffic cones were placed behind the robots to prevent them from moving.

Starship Technologies, which operates the equipment, said: "It's a shame to see a few people spoiling things for everyone else and damaging a new service for local people."

MICK LUNNEY/BBC A woman stands next to her son beside a docking station for the robots. One green and white robot can be seen and there are metal railings behind the docking station. Both mother and son are smiling widely. The woman is holding a parcel and the boy is holding a plastic water bottle.MICK LUNNEY/BBC
Loiusa Farret and her son, Samuel, live near the vehicle charging point

Views about the delivery bots from people living in Meersbrook ranged from "sinister" to "harmless enough".

Louisa Farrett lives near the robot's docking station.

"We can't deny that technology is going to be taking over soon," she said.

"It's also a bit sinister, walking up the road and seeing one coming towards you."

Recalling an encounter with one of the robots she said: "I'd got my shopping in my hands. It swerved me at the last minute."

Each of the bots is equipped with cameras and a suite of sensors.

The vehicles are fully autonomous and have been designed to navigate paths and busy roads safely, often using pedestrian crossings.

MICK LUNNEY/BBC Adam Dolling is pictured in a head and shoulders image. He is wearing an orangey-brown beanie and a black coat over a black hoodie. He is also wearing glasses and he has a fairly serious expression on his face. He is standing in what looks like a back yard. There is an outbuilding behind him and some trees in the background.MICK LUNNEY/BBC
Local business owner Adam Dolling said he thought the robots were "sinister"

Local business owner Adam Dolling said he had serious concerns about the equipment aboard the delivery vehicles.

"I think they're sinister because of the amount of cameras on them," he said.

"The robots are owned by a private company. Who knows what they are doing with that data."

Commenting on data concerns, a spokesperson for Starship Technologies said: "Starship takes measures to obfuscate any identifiable human features, has a strict policy on data retention and complies fully with GDPR.

"No recordings or images are shared with Uber."

Why are robots roaming Sheffield's streets?

An Uber Eats spokesperson said: "Autonomous deliveries launching in Sheffield is a testament to the city's position at the forefront of British engineering.

"Starship robots have made almost ten million deliveries globally and have been operating to the highest safety standards since 2018.

"We are investigating this feedback and we are committed to working with the community to address any concerns as the robots continue to serve local restaurants and customers."

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