FedEx's delivery robot 'Roxo' made its first appearance in New York City last week, but the six-wheeled prototype was swiftly met with a cease-and-desist order from the city's Department of Transportation. The robot, which resembles a cooler on wheels, was spotted in the Soho neighbourhood of Manhattan, drawing attention from passersby and the press.
Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed his disapproval on Twitter, stating that the city would 'send them packing' if any such robots were seen on its streets. He emphasised that permission had not been granted for the devices to operate in New York, and criticised the idea of using robots to replace human workers.
The robot was part of a marketing stunt for American Express's 'Small Business Saturday' campaign, rather than an actual trial. FedEx has previously tested the bots in other US cities including Memphis, Manchester, and New Hampshire. The company plans to roll out a fleet of stair-climbing delivery robots for 'last mile' package runs, which account for over 50% of total delivery costs.
Despite the city's rejection, delivery robots are gaining traction elsewhere. Starship Technologies has deployed similar robots in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Amazon is expanding its storage and warehouse space in New York. However, regulatory hurdles remain, with many states requiring human backup drivers for autonomous vehicles.
