Ohio green lights delivery robots on sidewalks

Ohio has become the fifth US state to give the go-ahead for delivery robots to operate on sidewalks and crosswalks statewide. Similar laws permitting the use of delivery robots on sidewalks (or pavements) have also been passed in Idaho, Virginia, Wisconsin and Florida.

Ohio’s new laws allow the unmanned delivery robots to operate on the sidewalks as long as they weigh less than 90 lb and travel at no more than 10 miles an hour.

Sources report that Starship Technologies played a role in lobbying for the new permits in Ohio, although it is not currently operating its robots in the state.