Toronto is gearing up to introduce self-driving delivery robots as a part of a pilot project from Magna International, pending city committee discussion. Up to 20 robots will operate in dense neighborhoods with human oversight. While the robots have shown success in previous deliveries in Detroit without incidents, Councillor Dianne Saxe emphasizes concerns regarding pedestrian safety and the lack of prior consultation from the city on this initiative. She questions the need for these robots when electric cargo bikes already provide efficient local deliveries.
"This is a solution looking for a problem. We already know how to make low carbon local deliveries work really, really well inexpensively. And that's with electric cargo bikes," Saxe said.
"I'm worried about everybody. I'm worried about pedestrians, especially at intersections."
"It is absolutely concerning that the city was not consulted in the decision to bring in these robots. It raises serious questions about safety and regulation."
"A pilot project approved by the provincial Ministry of Transportation will see self-driving delivery robots deployed across several downtown neighborhoods. Expected to launch in the second quarter this year."
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