Delivery Robot Rules

Read how the law defines a pavement robot

In the United States, states such as Virginia and Washington regulate pavement robots under the term personal delivery device. Washington's Chapter 46.75 RCW defines one as an electrically powered device intended mainly to carry property on sidewalks and crosswalks, weighing under 120 pounds without its cargo, with a maximum speed of six miles per hour, and fitted with technology that lets a remote operator supervise it. A machine outside that definition does not gain the chapter's permissions. Before choosing a model or a route, check the definition in each place you plan to operate, because weight and speed caps decide which machines qualify at all.

Check operating conditions and insurance

The definition is only the start. Virginia's Code § 46.2-908.1:1 allows a personal delivery device to operate on sidewalks and crosswalks, caps its speed there at 10 miles per hour, requires it to obey traffic and pedestrian control devices and signs, and requires a unique identifying number, a means of identifying the operator and general liability insurance of at least $100,000. Washington's chapter sets the same insurance floor and requires a marker with the operator's name and contact details and a braking system able to bring the device to a controlled stop. Build those items into your vehicle order, your labelling and your insurance quote.

Know the rules for driverless delivery vans

Road-going delivery vehicles such as the Nuro R3 or the Neolix X3 face vehicle law rather than pavement rules. In the European Union, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 lays down uniform procedures and technical specifications for the type-approval of the automated driving system of fully automated vehicles. Approval of the driving system does not by itself settle where and when a service may run, so check national road traffic rules and any local permit as well. Ask a maker which approvals its vehicle holds in your country, under what conditions, and whether a safety driver or remote operator is required on the routes you have in mind.

Plan for pedestrians and local permits

Laws grant permission, but streets come with people, kerbs and councils. Washington's chapter requires personal delivery devices to operate in line with the ordinances, resolutions, rules and regulations of the local jurisdiction, so a city can add its own conditions. Map each route for pinch points such as narrow footways, bus stops, school entrances and crossings without dropped kerbs, where a robot could block wheelchair users or prams. Agree with the local authority how residents can report a stuck or misbehaving robot and how quickly your remote team will respond. Record incidents and share summaries with the authority, which helps when permits come up for renewal.

Sources and further reading

• Chapter 46.75 RCW Personal delivery devices — Washington State Legislature.
  Washington's statute defining personal delivery devices by weight and speed, with operator and equipment duties.
• Code of Virginia § 46.2-908.1:1 Personal delivery devices — Virginia General Assembly (Virginia Law).
  A US state law setting where pavement delivery robots may run, their speed cap, identification and insurance.
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 on type-approval of the automated driving system of fully automated vehicles — EUR-Lex, European Union.
  The EU rule setting procedures and technical specifications for approving the driving system of fully automated vehicles.

Common questions

Are delivery robots allowed on pavements in Europe?

Rules differ by country and often by city, so ask the national transport ministry and the local authority before planning a route. The US state laws described here show the kinds of conditions, such as weight and speed caps and insurance, that authorities can attach.

Does a delivery robot need a remote operator?

Under Washington's law, yes: a personal delivery device must be equipped for remote supervision, and its operator must be able to control or monitor its movement. Plan for human supervision even where the law is silent, since someone must respond when a robot gets stuck.