An autonomous DoorDash delivery robot overstayed its welcome last week in Arizona when it entered the perimeter of an active SWAT operation and reportedly refused to leave.
The fully electric, compact robot, known as Dot, was en route to complete a food delivery in Chandler on June 15 as police investigated a possible weapons-related incident near Ray Road and Hamilton Street, 12 News reports. It approached and drove through the scene where officers were responding to the situation.
Video from the scene obtained by the local news station shows the device attempting to move through the area despite repeated verbal warnings from law enforcement to turn back. During the operation, officers also deployed a flash-bang device at a nearby residence as Dot remained in the vicinity, according to 12 News.
With no driver present to intervene, police contacted DoorDash for assistance. The company sent a technician to the location, and the robot was later removed from the scene and transported away in a box truck, according to 12 News.
A DoorDash spokesperson told The Independent in a statement, “Our robot behaved as designed — stopping and waiting safely while authorities managed the scene — and we're grateful to the Chandler Police Department for their professionalism. We're continuing to review the incident and will share more as we learn it.”
Details about the DoorDash customer and the intended delivery destination have not been released.
The Independent has contacted the Chandler Police Department for comment.
DoorDash launched Dot in the greater Phoenix metro area, including Tempe and Mesa, in September and service has since expanded to Fremont, California. Dot is about one-tenth the size of a car and travels at safe speeds on sidewalks, bike lanes and roads, according to the company. It can carry up to 30 pounds of goods and travel at speeds of up to 20 mph.
The robot is equipped with sensor and computing systems similar to robotaxis that allow it to detect pedestrians, cyclists, pets and other obstacles and it can stop or reroute as needed to navigate neighborhoods safely and efficiently, DoorDash says.
The company also says remote operators can intervene if Dot issues arise, with a local operations team available to respond when problems cannot be resolved remotely.
