Associated Incidents
FRISCO, Texas (NV) – Food delivery by robots is being tested more and more in the US, including in North Texas, such as in the cities of Arlington and Frisco.
Receiving goods without contact seems like a good idea, during this COVID-19 pandemic. These food delivery robots usually only run on sidewalks, but sometimes have to cross the street. And what will happen if this robot car crashes into your car?
A woman in the city of Frisco recently spent months going back and forth with her insurance company to get her compensation, according to local NBC 5 in Dallas-Fort Worth on Sept. after being hit by a food delivery robot on the road.
Last June, Jisuk Mok was driving on the street, waiting for the light at the intersection, and when the light turned green, that was when Mok's troubles began.
"I heard something hit the left side of my car," Mok told NBC 5.
At first, she thought something had hit her, but she looked around and saw nothing.
“Then I found out that I was hit by the Starship robot,” Ms. Mok said.
She said the crash caused more than $2,600 damage to the front bumper of her car.
In May, the city of Frisco signed an agreement with California-based Starship Technologies to begin testing a food delivery service in West Frisco.
“I often see robots on the roadside, but this is the first time I have seen them running down the street,” Ms. Mok said.
After the accident happened, Mrs. Mok didn't know what to do. There was no phone number on the robot car, so Ms. Mok went to the police station to make a report.
Starship's food delivery robot on the campus of Arizona State University. (Image: Twitter)
The police department also doesn't know if the robot is considered a "vehicle". Mrs. Mok called the town hall, which never answered her questions.
Ms. Mok contacted the insurance company, which said she had to pay the "deductible," unless she could prove it wasn't her fault.
Finally, when it was contacted by Starship, the company said it had a video of the incident, but could not give it to her.
Tired, Mrs. Mok contacted NBC 5 for help.
The broadcaster found out and learned that on May 18 there was an accident at the same intersection, involving the Starship robot.
The company did everything to show that its robot was safe, but ultimately agreed to pay more than $2,600.
Mok said the robot cars must have a phone number to contact in case of an emergency.