Postmates Nears First San Francisco Permit for Sidewalk Delivery Robots
Postmates is set to become the first company to receive an official permit for testing sidewalk delivery robots in San Francisco under a new city pilot program. The 180-day permit authorizes the company to test up to three of its semi-autonomous Serve rovers on public sidewalks.
Postmates is on the verge of securing the first-ever permit to test autonomous sidewalk delivery robots in San Francisco. The 180-day permit from San Francisco Public Works authorizes the company to test up to three delivery devices on public sidewalks. This development makes San Francisco one of the first cities to formally allow robotic testing under a new pilot program, following a previous city ban on unpermitted street robots.
The delivery robots in question are Postmates' semi-autonomous rovers, known as Serve, which the company unveils in late 2018. Using cameras and lidar technology, Serve navigates sidewalks while carrying up to 50 pounds for 25 miles on a single charge. Human pilots remotely monitor the fleets, and each rover includes a help button, touchscreen, and video chat display to ensure safety and accessibility for customers and passersby.
Postmates continues to refine the technology and user experience of Serve before launching official pilot programs. The company integrates new, smaller, and more durable lidar technology while maintaining zero-emission capabilities. Under the guidance of former Apple veteran Ken Kocienda, the team also develops a new scripting language to animate the robot's "eyes" in an effort to make the device socially intelligent and friendly to the public.