Delivery Robots Become Targets for Vandalism Across US and UK

Incidents of delivery robot attacks and damage are on the rise as the technology expands.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:26pm

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A highly detailed 3D illustration of a delivery robot covered in glowing neon graffiti, with the words 'OFF OUR STREETS' illuminated in bright cyan and magenta. The robot is surrounded by a hazy, futuristic urban landscape with skyscrapers and streetlights in the background, conceptually representing the tensions between autonomous technology and local communities.Delivery robots face growing hostility from some urban residents, who are increasingly targeting the autonomous vehicles with vandalism and destruction.Chicago Today

Delivery robots from companies like Kiwibot, Uber Eats, and Starship Technologies have become the targets of vandalism and harassment in cities across the United States and United Kingdom. Incidents range from graffiti, to physical attacks, to the bots being knocked over, kicked, and even defecated on by angry individuals. The damage is costly for the companies, with each robot costing around $2,500 to replace.

Why it matters

The rise in delivery robot vandalism highlights growing tensions around the expansion of autonomous technology in public spaces. As more delivery bots flood city streets, some residents are expressing their frustration and resistance through acts of petty destruction, posing challenges for the companies deploying the technology.

The details

Kiwibot CEO Felipe Chavez reported that out of the company's first 80,000 deliveries on the University of California Berkeley campus, about 1,600 involved incidents of vandalism. In the UK, two Uber Eats delivery robots in Sheffield were recently found covered in graffiti reading 'off our streets.' Similar incidents have occurred in Philadelphia, where late night revelers attacked a delivery robot, and in Los Angeles, where a robot was smeared with feces.

  • In 2020, Kiwibot deployed delivery robots on the UC Berkeley campus.
  • Over the St. Patrick's Day weekend in 2023, a delivery robot was vandalized in Philadelphia.
  • In December 2022, two men in Leeds, UK were caught on video tossing a delivery robot into a bush.

The players

Kiwibot

A startup that deployed delivery robots on the University of California Berkeley campus in 2020.

Felipe Chavez

The CEO of Kiwibot who reported incidents of vandalism against the company's delivery robots.

Starship Technologies

The manufacturer of delivery robots that were vandalized in Sheffield, UK.

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What they’re saying

“It's a shame to see a few people spoiling things for everyone else and damaging a new service for local people.”

— Starship Technologies spokesperson

What’s next

Police in the affected cities are investigating the incidents of delivery robot vandalism, and the companies are working to improve the safety and security of their autonomous vehicles.

The takeaway

The rise in delivery robot vandalism reflects growing tensions around the expansion of autonomous technology in public spaces. As more cities embrace delivery robots, companies will need to address community concerns and find ways to protect their investments from malicious damage.