Robots Walking Down Sidewalks to Deliver Parcels? In This State, It’s Now a Reality

Virginia now allows robots to use sidewalks to deliver parcels. The new legislation, passed by the Virginia General Assembly, “allows for the operation of electric personal delivery devices on the sidewalks and shared-use paths and across roadways on crosswalks in the Commonwealth.”

The bill states that these delivery robots, which have both speed and weight limits, “shall not be considered vehicles” and are thus exempt from motor carrier provisions that would otherwise prevent them from operating.

According to the legislation, the robots cannot exceed speeds of 10 miles per hour, nor can they exceed 50 pounds in weight. These ground-only machines are classified separately from unmanned aerial drones, carrying with them a differen but equally specific set of rules.

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