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Chicago Residents Debate Expansion of Food Delivery Robots
Coco and Serve Robotics operate 50 robots each, but some wards oppose further growth of the programs.
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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Two companies, Coco and Serve Robotics, have been operating food delivery robots in Chicago since late 2024 and September 2025 respectively, under a pilot program approved in 2022. While the robots have been serving over 125 restaurants and retailers, some residents in the 1st Ward have voiced strong opposition to further expansion of the programs due to concerns over the robots' speed and accessibility issues.
Why it matters
The debate over food delivery robots in Chicago highlights the broader challenges cities face in balancing innovation and technological progress with community needs and concerns. As more cities explore autonomous delivery options, finding the right balance between efficiency and public safety will be crucial.
The details
Coco operates 50 food delivery robots across 34 square miles of Chicago, covering neighborhoods like River West, West Loop, Fulton Market and Lincoln Park. Serve Robotics also operates 50 food delivery robots in Chicago, with 10 of them in the 1st Ward. The robots are equipped with sensors and cameras to navigate and avoid obstacles, but can sometimes get stuck, like one named 'Scott' that went off the sidewalk into the snow. Ald. Daniel La Spata of the 1st Ward recently held a town hall where 83% of residents strongly disagreed with further expansion of the programs due to concerns over speed and accessibility.
- Coco hard-launched in late 2024.
- Serve Robotics started operating in Chicago in September 2025.
- The current temporary business permit for the food delivery robots will expire in 2027, at which point the City Council and Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will need to decide on a permanent permit.
The players
Coco
A company that operates 50 food delivery robots across 34 square miles of Chicago, serving 125 different restaurants and retailers.
Serve Robotics
A company that operates 50 food delivery robots in Chicago, with 10 of them in the 1st Ward.
Ald. Daniel La Spata
The alderman for Chicago's 1st Ward, who recently held a town hall where 83% of residents strongly disagreed with further expansion of the food delivery robot programs.
What they’re saying
“Our residents — nearly 500 of them — responded unequivocally. 83% strongly disagreed with seeing this program further expanded in the 1st Ward.”
— Ald. Daniel La Spata, Alderman, 1st Ward (WGN-TV)
“In crowded areas, they'd be in the way. People would have to look out for them.”
— Maya Sanchez (WGN-TV)
“I think it's pretty cool if it gets somebody help to get their food faster. I'm all for it.”
— Antonio (WGN-TV)
What’s next
The next real conversation for the city will come in 2027 when the temporary business permit for the food delivery robots expires, and the City Council and Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will need to decide on a permanent permit.
The takeaway
The debate over food delivery robots in Chicago highlights the broader challenges cities face in balancing innovation and technological progress with community needs and concerns. As more cities explore autonomous delivery options, finding the right balance between efficiency and public safety will be crucial.
