Food Delivery Robots Face Vandalism Across U.S. Cities as Public Tension Grows

Autonomous food delivery robots are encountering frequent vandalism in several U.S. cities, with incidents ranging from kicks to being knocked off bridges and filmed for social media. Los Angeles City Council member Eunisses Hernandez says the aggression signals public frustration toward AI and corporate expansion. Analysts estimate roughly 5,000 robots currently operate in the United States, a number expected to rise to 8,000 within three years, and forecast a multi-billion-dollar market.

Companies like Serve Robotics, backed by major tech investors, have reported significant losses despite partnerships with major delivery platforms. Police departments note that reporting of such vandalism is low, making it hard to track the full scope of the problem. Some robots have also caused accidental disruptions, such as colliding with vehicles or entering fire zones, highlighting operational challenges.