Robot Courier Attacks Brit and Dog

An incident in Milton-Kins, UK, saw a Starship Technologies robot courier attack a local resident and their shepherd dog. Brian Dawson, 56, and his dog Pippa were walking when the robot, which delivers products from a local Co-OP store, collided with the animal and then hit Dawson’s leg. Despite being programmed to avoid collisions, the robot continued towards Dawson who kicked it in response. Dawson took his dog to safety and returned to try and read the robot’s serial number or QR code. At this point, the robot again hit Dawson’s leg. Dawson then laid the robot on its side, but this triggered the robot’s alarm. He therefore put the device back on its wheels. CCTV captured the event. CO-OP eventually requested an apology from Dawson, stating that this kind of incident was “an isolated case”. Starship Technologies expressed regret and emphasised the priority it attaches to delivery safety.