Author: Bern Grush
Date Published: February 16, 2025
As public-area mobile robots (PMRs) increasingly appear on our city sidewalks, municipal leaders face a pressing challenge: how to effectively regulate these new technologies while balancing innovation with public safety and accessibility. From delivery robots to cleaning machines, PMRs are transforming how services are provided in urban spaces. But without proper regulation, they risk becoming a public nuisance or safety hazard rather than a beneficial addition to city infrastructure.
Why Traditional Frameworks Aren't Enough
Traditional transportation and sidewalk regulations weren't designed with autonomous mobile robots in mind. PMRs occupy a unique regulatory space - they're not quite vehicles, not the same as scooters, and not really pedestrians, and they have capabilities and limitations unlike other mobility technologies. This means cities need to develop new frameworks specifically addressing:
Speed limits and operational boundaries
Right-of-way rules and interaction with pedestrians
Insurance and liability requirements
Safety features and operational standards
Data collection and privacy protections
Enforcement mechanisms
Licensing and permitting processes
The high stakes of getting these regulations right have become clear through early deployments. In many cities—San Francisco is one—initial lack of regulation after robots appeared without warning on city streets led to concerns about sidewalk congestion and accessibility for disabled residents. After a reactive ban, San Francisco quickly developed a new permitting process with requirements that limited operations. Similar issues arose in Toronto giving rise to a temporary ban.
Key Components of Effective PMR Regulation
Based on the experiences of early adopter cities, several critical elements should be included in PMR regulations:
1. Operating Parameters
Maximum speed limits (typically 3-6 mph)
Weight restrictions
Designated areas of operation
Time-of-day restrictions
Weather condition limitations
2. Safety Requirements
Visible identification and contact information
Lighting and warning sounds
Emergency stop capabilities
Real-time human monitoring
Collision avoidance systems
Required distance from pedestrians
Specific rules for using traffic intersections
3. Administrative Framework
Service acquisition rules
Permitting processes
Insurance requirements
Data sharing agreements
Incident reporting protocols
Enforcement procedures
Fee structures
4. Public Rights Protection
Accessibility requirements
Pedestrian right-of-way rules
Privacy protections
Noise limitations
Environmental impact considerations
Learning from Early Adopters
Cities that have already implemented PMR regulations offer valuable lessons:
Flexible But Firm: Regulations need enough flexibility to accommodate rapid technological change while maintaining firm safety and operational standards. San Francisco's "Emerging Technology Working Group" provides a model for how cities can create adaptive regulatory frameworks.
Start Small: Many successful programs begin with limited pilot projects in specific zones before expanding. This allows cities to test and refine regulations before broader deployment.
Engage Stakeholders: Effective regulations require input from multiple stakeholders including:
· Disability advocacy groups
· Pedestrian safety organizations
· Business associations
· Technology companies
· Emergency services
· Transportation departments
The Role of Enforcement
Regulations are only as effective as their enforcement regime. Cities need to consider:
· Who will monitor PMR compliance
· What penalties apply for violations
· How to track and respond to incidents
· Methods for identifying non-compliant devices
· Resources needed for oversight
Building Municipal Readiness
Before PMRs arrive, cities should:
A. Assess infrastructure readiness
· Sidewalk conditions and accessibility
· Crossing signals and crosswalk markings
· Data collection and use capabilities
· Communication systems
B. Develop internal expertise
· Train relevant staff
· Establish clear responsibilities
· Create response protocols
· Build technical understanding
C. Prepare public communication
· Education campaigns
· Reporting systems
· Feedback mechanisms
· Public engagement processes
This paper is an excellent resource: Mateja Kovacic, Simon Marvin & Aidan While (2024) Regulating sidewalk delivery robots as a disruptive new urban technology, Urban Geography, 45:7, 1236-1255, DOI:10.1080/02723638.2023.2275426
Coordinating Municipal Governance
The cross-cutting nature of PMR implementation touches virtually every municipal department - from traffic and public works to certification, licensing, training, enforcement, monetization, legal, and beyond. This breadth of impact suggests cities may soon need a dedicated robotics coordinator and eventually a department to ensure coherent oversight for dozens of different types of PMRs and PMR operators.
Currently, when different departments develop regulations independently, contradictions and inefficiencies naturally emerge. For example, public works’ concerns about sidewalk maintenance may conflict with economic development's goals for expanded PMR services, while device ID requirements associated with licensing might not align with police enforcement protocols. A centralized approach, whether through a new department or a permanent cross-departmental working group, would help harmonize competing requirements and ensure consistent policy development.
This coordinating body could also serve as a single point of contact for PMR operators, streamline permitting processes, and coordinate institutional knowledge as technology evolves. Several cities are already moving in this direction investing in new technology working groups, appointing robotics coordinators, or creating dedicated autonomous systems offices. As PMRs become more prevalent, this type of coordinated governance structure will become increasingly critical for effective regulation and deployment.
The Path Forward
Implementing new technologies in public spaces brings with it many challenges for governments at all levels. Around the world we are seeing mobile technologies that operate on sidewalks and in shopping malls, travel within bike paths, cross intersections, and perform a variety of functions from last mile delivery to cleaning to security patrols. How can municipalities prepare to effectively govern these mobility innovations?
As PMR technology continues to evolve, cities must take a proactive approach to regulation. Rather than waiting for problems to arise, municipal leaders should begin developing comprehensive regulatory frameworks now. This includes:
Studying existing successful models
Engaging with stakeholders early
Building internal capacity
Establishing clear processes
Planning for enforcement
The goal should be creating an environment where PMRs can operate safely while delivering their promised benefits to the community.
Join Us to Learn More!
On Thursday, March 20, we are hosting an on-line conversation with seasoned experts who think a lot about these matters to share their thoughts on how good governance and regulations can contribute to improved safety and successful deployment of public-area mobile robots and other mobility innovations.
Mark E. Talivere, an innovation expert at the Tallinn Strategic Management Office, will be discussing Estonia's unique regulatory approach to public-area mobile robots, including its amendments to the national traffic act and insights from Tallinn's pilot projects and innovations. Estonia is one of the only countries in the world that has amended their national traffic act with regulations to address PMRs beyond only personal delivery robots, which has been the practice in other countries that have modified their traffic acts.
Pedro Homem de Gouveia, Senior Policy Advisor and Project Manager, Governance & Integration + Safety & Security at POLIS Network, is an expert on Accessibility and Universal Design; Public Space and Sustainable Urban Mobility; Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming; Strategy and Innovation in Cities. He will share his thoughts regarding key lessons and best practices for cities to integrate these new technologies effectively.
Bern Grush, Executive Director of the Urban Robotics Foundation and project lead for ISO/TS 4448 for public-area mobile robots will lead the panellists with discussion questions
Francisco Javier Martín Romo our EU and MENA liaison and expert in hospitality robots will be our host.
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