Rogue Robot Wreaks Havoc on Los Angeles Garden, Sparks Accountability Concerns
A seemingly innocuous automated delivery robot has caused quite a stir in East Hollywood, Los Angeles, after it became entangled in a resident’s garden fence, uprooted plants, and then made a hasty retreat, dragging the damaged fence along the pavement. The incident has not only left a resident with a damaged garden but has also ignited broader concerns about the accountability of autonomous technology operating in urban environments.
Kaiya Reel, the owner of the meticulously cultivated curbside garden, was inside her home on Friday when she heard an unusual commotion emanating from her front gate. Upon investigating, she discovered a Coco delivery robot in the midst of its destructive spree. These four-wheeled, automated machines are designed to navigate sidewalks, delivering food and groceries, with a primary operational presence in Los Angeles and Chicago.
According to Reel, the robot had managed to snag her fence in its wheel, leading to the uprooting of numerous plants. “It had got my fence caught up in its wheel. It uprooted a whole bunch of plates in my garden and then just drove away with the fence attached to it,” she recounted.
Reel’s attempts to halt the rogue robot were met with frustration. She described chasing after the machine, yelling for it to stop, which, she admitted, made her feel “like a total crazy person.” Her efforts to physically block its path were also futile, as the nimble robot adeptly manoeuvred around her. The East Hollywood resident noted that the robot showed no signs of slowing down, continuing its chaotic journey while dragging her palm fronds and fencing, posing a risk to parked vehicles.
A neighbour, Roman Henson, also witnessed the bizarre spectacle. He reported hearing a “crunching sound” before observing the robot’s destructive trajectory. “The robot had driven through the little fence and was dragging it,” Henson told reporters. He added that while autonomous vehicles and robots like Cocos are a common sight in the neighbourhood, their behaviour can often be unpredictable. Henson lightheartedly remarked, “We’ve got the Cocos, the Waymos, and they’re coming for us,” highlighting a growing sentiment among residents.
This incident is not an isolated one for Coco robots, raising further alarm bells. Reel pointed to previous documented instances where Coco robots have been involved in mishaps, including crashing into an ambulance and knocking over a parked motorcycle.
Another concerning incident involved a Coco robot abruptly stopping directly in front of a man using a mobility scooter on the sidewalk. This unexpected halt forced the scooter user to brake suddenly, leading to a collision due to the robot’s unpredictable movement.
Reel expressed her deep-seated worry that her experience is not unique and that such incidents highlight a lack of accountability from companies deploying this technology. “It just feels like an accident waiting to happen,” she stated, emphasizing her concern that these companies are introducing their technology into communities without sufficient oversight or a clear framework for responsibility.
Fortunately, Coco Robotics has reportedly agreed to cover the costs of the damage to Reel’s garden. The company has also pledged to implement internal measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future, for Reel and other residents.
A spokesperson for Coco, Carl Hansen, Vice President of Government Relations, provided a statement to the Daily Mail, asserting that Coco robots operate at speeds comparable to pedestrians. He explained that in this particular event, “one wheel lightly snagged a wire border installed along the public right-of-way (not on private property), which caused minor disturbance to a few small plants.” Hansen reiterated that Coco immediately offered to cover all expenses and confirmed that no one was injured. He stressed that safety is their paramount concern and that such incidents are exceedingly rare, noting that Coco robots have successfully completed over a million miles of deliveries at walking speeds.
