The future of autonomous delivery in Chicago hit a literal wall this week. For the second time in just three days, a food delivery robot has crashed into a CTA bus shelter, shattering a massive glass pane and reigniting a heated city-wide debate over sidewalk safety.
1. The Old Town Incident (March 24, 2026)
On Tuesday afternoon, a robot belonging to Coco Robotics was spotted near North Avenue and Halsted Street in the Old Town neighborhood.
- The Crash: The robot drove directly into the glass wall of a bus shelter, causing it to shatter across the sidewalk.
- The Aftermath: While the robot reportedly left the scene before authorities arrived, witnesses captured images of the shattered glass and a second robot nearby—this one equipped with a red safety flag.
- The Statement: Coco Robotics’ Vice President, Carl Hansen, stated the incident was “well outside the norm” and that the company is taking full responsibility for repair costs.
2. The West Town Incident (March 22, 2026)
The Old Town crash follows a nearly identical event on Sunday in West Town.
- The Location: A robot operated by Serve Robotics smashed through the glass at a bus stop on the 400 block of West Racine Avenue.
- Viral Moment: Security footage of the “Serve” robot plowing through the glass went viral on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), showing the bot struggling to navigate the shards after the impact.
Why Is This Happening?
Tech experts and city residents have raised several theories regarding these back-to-back failures:
- Glass Detection Issues: Some believe the robots’ LiDAR or visual sensors are failing to recognize clean glass as a solid object, perceiving it as an open path.
- GPS Drift: Others suggest a potential GPS error in high-density areas, causing the robots to lose track of the sidewalk’s edge.
- Speed Concerns: While these robots typically travel at roughly 5 mph (8 km/h), the force was enough to completely disintegrate the safety glass of the CTA shelters.
Public & Political Reaction
The “Robot Pilot Program,” which is currently slated to run through May 2027, is now under intense scrutiny.
- The Petition: A “No Sidewalk Bots” petition has already gathered over 3,700 signatures, with residents citing safety and accessibility hazards.
- Alderman Stance: Alderman Daniel La Spata (1st) has already conducted a survey showing 83% of his residents “strongly disagree” with the program, stating he will not allow them to expand in his district.
- Safety Concerns: “If someone had been sitting in that shelter, they would have been showered in glass,” noted one local resident. “This is a serious safety hazard.”
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Was anyone injured in the crashes? Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in either the West Town or Old Town incidents.
2. Who pays for the broken bus shelters? Both Serve Robotics and Coco Robotics have officially stated they will cover 100% of the repair costs for the damaged CTA infrastructure.
3. Are these robots remote-controlled? Most delivery robots in Chicago are autonomous but are monitored by humans who can take over if the bot gets stuck or encounters an error.
4. How many robots are currently in Chicago? While exact numbers vary, the pilot program currently allows for several dozen robots to operate in designated neighborhoods like West Town, Old Town, and the Near North Side.
Official Disclaimer
Disclaimer: bollywoodview.in is an entertainment and news platform. This report is based on verified news coverage from CBS Chicagoas of March 26, 2026. Pilot program details and company statements are subject to update as investigations continue.