Small autonomous bots have rolled along Downtown San Jose sidewalks since spring, ferrying meals from local restaurants to nearby customers. Now the city is preparing formal regulations that could allow a broader rollout, including larger models designed for bike lanes.
Transportation officials presented draft rules during a community meeting this week. The proposal would create a year-long permit system for companies operating the devices. Speed on sidewalks, pathways and crosswalks would be capped at 5 mph. Smaller units would need visibility flags, and operators would have to clear any immobilized bots from public areas within a reasonable time. The city could withhold additional permits if numbers grew too high and would retain authority to issue fines or revoke operating rights for violations.
Two firms, Coco Robotics and Serve Robotics, currently run about 35 of the cooler-sized machines combined. DoorDash has signaled interest in introducing its taller Dot robot, roughly five feet high and capable of traveling up to 20 mph in bike lanes under a monitored pilot. Officials framed the electric machines as a way to trim vehicle trips for food pickups while improving access for residents with limited mobility.
Residents raised practical questions about sidewalk congestion, especially for people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids, and about how faster bots would share narrow bike channels with cyclists. Industry representatives stressed the need for public comfort if the technology is to succeed. Staff indicated the finalized package would head to City Council in September, with a possible launch of the permit program in late fall or winter.
The discussion reflects San Jose’s effort to guide new mobility tools rather than simply react to them. As more restaurants and delivery platforms explore automation, clear local standards will help determine whether these devices become a routine, low-impact part of city streets or create new friction on shared paths.
Source: San Jose Spotlight
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