The Chief Officer for Highways and Transportation has:
a) Given authority for Starship Technologies to conduct a trial in the use of Personal Delivery Droids (PDDs) to provide an innovative home delivery grocery service in the Northwest area of Leeds. Initial trial will be for three months with an option to extend the trial period if successful with further approval from Highways Board. Any decision to expand the trial area(s) would need to be brought back to Highways board for further approval and recommendation.
b) Recognised that there is currently no national legislation which specifically governs the operation of robotic Personal Delivery Devices (PDDs) within the UK. In particular, the legal position on the use of PDDs on the public footpath is unclear.
c) Accepted that PDDs will share the residential footpaths with pedestrians and that the necessary amount of consultation and engagement with key accessibility / disability groups has taken place. Accordingly, routes and operations during the trial can be amended in real-time if required to respond to local feedback.