Cities start metering pavement robots the way they once metered vans
Delivery bots that share the sidewalk will need a licence plate, a speed cap, and a fee per kerb hour in six municipalities from next spring.
The rules are boring on purpose. Officials copied parking law: visible ID, a number to call, and a fine if the machine blocks a ramp. Companies wanted a software-only ID. Cities said a sticker a child can read is the point.
One operator said the fee would kill the business case. Another said it was cheaper than fighting a ban. Pedestrian groups asked for a sunset clause if injury reports rise.
The first plates go on in March. They will look, by design, a little like the old metal ones on bicycles.
