Those cute little delivery robots that have appeared in recent TD Bank ads could soon be rolling through the streets of Vancouver. City council will vote this week on a motion to work with California-based Serve Robotics on a pilot project that would test the viability and safety of automated delivery systems in the downtown peninsula and Kitsilano.
Pilot Project Details
Coun. Mike Klassen will introduce the proposal at a council committee meeting on Wednesday. The pilot program would allow city engineers and the robotics company to collaborate on regulatory requirements and operational issues before deciding on a larger robot presence in the city. It would require changes to Vancouver's street vending bylaws before proceeding.
The city also plans to reach out to the provincial government to confirm authorization of autonomous delivery robots under the definition of designated micro-utility devices in Bill 23, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act of 2023.
How the Robots Work
Serve's robots are more robust than the small pod featured in TD advertisements, but the concept remains the same: a container on four wheels with an app-activated lid that opens for the person who placed the order. They travel on sidewalks and navigate around pedestrians using a set of cameras and sensors.
Thousands of these robots operate in major U.S. cities, but delivery robots are slowly rolling into Canada. A demonstration by Serve Robotics took place earlier this year at Surrey city hall, and a pilot by Waterloo-based Real Life Robotics and Skip (formerly Skip the Dishes) occurred last year in Markham, Ontario.
Timeline and Scope
The Vancouver pilot project would run for six months, with Serve's robots expected to hit the streets as early as this fall. The motion states that Serve Robotics is an established leader in robotics and autonomous delivery, with a track record of success in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Serve has presented a pilot program proposal to the mayor's office, members of council, and the government of British Columbia to activate their autonomous delivery robots in Vancouver. The pilot would allow for a thoughtful and pragmatic approach to testing emerging technology while maintaining public safety, accessibility, and community engagement.
