The food delivery robots that have been rolling down D.C. sidewalks for more than a year just got a big win from the District: They can stick around.
The D.C. Council has passed legislation to permit the large-scale deployment of delivery robots across the city, a particularly significant milestone for Starship Technologies, the company involved in crafting the initial law that allowed it to pilot the 2-foot-tall bots here starting in 2016 — and the only company that has taken advantage of it so far.
The law removes geographic limitations, meaning Starship could seek permits to operate beyond just four ZIP codes, and enter the previously restricted central business district. It would also allow the company to have more than five robots on the streets at a time (which, as those of us familiar know, could mean more barking dogs and curious pedestrians who encounter them).
The robot fleet in the region could begin growing by early fall, according to David Catania, head of public affairs…
Read the full story from the Washington Business Journal.
