Uber Eats delivery robots vandalised in Sheffield

New robotic food delivery equipment being used in a Sheffield suburb has been vandalised with spray paint.

A vertical pole with an orange flag on one of the robots - designed to make it visible as it travels the streets of Meersbrook making deliveries for the food-ordering app Uber Eats - was bent to the ground.

A charging station alongside a scout hut has also been defaced and traffic cones were placed behind the robots to prevent them from moving.

Starship Technologies, which operates the equipment, said: "It's a shame to see a few people spoiling things for everyone else and damaging a new service for local people."

Views about the delivery bots from people living in Meersbrook ranged from "sinister" to "harmless enough".

Louisa Farrett lives near the robot's docking station.

"We can't deny that technology is going to be taking over soon," she said.

"It's also a bit sinister, walking up the road and seeing one coming towards you."

Recalling an encounter with one of the robots she said: "I'd got my shopping in my hands. It swerved me at the last minute."

Each of the bots is equipped with cameras and a suite of sensors.

The vehicles are fully autonomous and have been designed to navigate paths and busy roads safely, often using pedestrian crossings.

Local business owner Adam Dolling said he had serious concerns about the equipment aboard the delivery vehicles.

"I think they're sinister because of the amount of cameras on them," he said.

"The robots are owned by a private company. Who knows what they are doing with that data."

Commenting on data concerns, a spokesperson for Starship Technologies said: "Starship takes measures to obfuscate any identifiable human features, has a strict policy on data retention and complies fully with GDPR.

"No recordings or images are shared with Uber."

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