Tennessee DoorDash customers could soon have their orders delivered by robots,
On Wednesday, the Tennessee Senate’s Transportation and Safety committee voted to advance a bill that would allow “autonomous delivery robots” on sidewalks, crosswalks, bicycle lanes, parking lots, and roadways.
As introduced, SB1625 allows for these personal delivery devices to operate at up to 20 miles per hour. These devices are defined as those being powered by electric motors, operating primarily on sidewalks and crosswalks with the purpose of delivering goods, and have autonomous control.
“[The bill] does not mandate deployment into any community, but it leverages autonomous technology for short distance deliveries, and can help merchants meet rising demand while serving customers better and creating new opportunities for everyone,” Sen. Becky Massey (R-Knoxville) said.
Current law allows these devices to move in pedestrian areas up to 10 miles per hour, however local governments can decide if they are allowed “in the interest of public safety. Local governments would still be able to regulate the devices if passed.
Massey explained that local governments may exercise a “yes, but” policy, saying the devices can operate, but may exercise discretion on any roads or streets that may be prohibited.
To be operable, the device would have to meet several requirements such as yielding or not obstructing the right-of-way to all other traffic, including pedestrians, not interfering with traffic or pedestrians, and have lighting on both the front and rear.
The devices would not be able to operate on interstates.
Food delivery service DoorDash is a proponent of the bill, as the company seeks to integrate its new delivery service, Dot, into the state.
“Dot is the first commercial autonomous delivery robot to seamlessly navigate bike lanes, roads, and sidewalks, and is purpose-built for local commerce,” DoorDash said.
Brent Westcott, director of public policy development at DoorDash, was present at the hearing to speak in support of the bill. He said demand for local delivery has grown in the state with nearly 12,000 Tennessee-based businesses on the app as of December 2024.
He said Dot was introduced as a way to address increasing demand.
“Safety is, and will remain, our top priority as we deploy this technology,” Westcott said. “Dot uses leading autonomous technology to ensure it can safely navigate neighborhood streets.”
The director added that Dot is also subject to human monitoring and intervention. He affirmed the company’s commitment to working with state and local governments to ensure the responsible deployment of Dot.
Westcott said the company had not encountered any “safety critical incidents” in the states that Dot currently operates in.