Lawsuit claims ASU employee was struck, injured by a food delivery robot

A jury may soon decide who is liable when a food delivery robot causes injury or damage in Arizona.

Under Arizona law, delivery robots are called “personal delivery devices” and have the same rights and responsibilities as pedestrians. The same law also requires robot operators to carry general liability insurance up to $100,000.

The case in Maricopa County Superior Court involves an Arizona State University employee who was injured by a delivery robot in 2023.

According to the ASU police report, a 73-year-old woman was knocked down and struck multiple times by a Starship food delivery robot. The woman was working as a parking attendant in a garage on the Tempe campus at the time.

The report narrative says the woman was attempting to speak with someone about a parked vehicle when she noticed a Starship food delivery robot crossing on the sidewalk in front of her.

The woman reportedly waited for the robot to pass and crossed behind it. That’s when, the narrative says, the robot then went into reverse and ran into her, causing her to fall to the ground on her back. The robot then attempted to leave, reversing again into the woman still on the ground.

The woman was treated by the Tempe Fire Department at the scene.

The report noted the woman had a 4-inch laceration near her left elbow, complained of back pain and had trouble walking.

The ASU police report said Starship Technologies provided police with video footage from the robot and asked for the woman’s contact information to offer insurance information and “promo codes.”

The woman is suing Starship Technologies for liability and negligence.

Her lawsuit alleges Starship failed to operate in a reasonably safe manner and that the robot, which was still being tested when the incident occurred, was defective.

The lawsuit further alleges an unnamed Starship employee responsible for monitoring the robot was negligent for failing to “exercise control” over the robot before it struck the woman.

The woman is seeking damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages, according to court documents.

Starship Technologies argues the plaintiff’s injuries were caused by her own negligence, pre-existing injuries and by a third party, and stated the burden of proof for a breach in duty lies with the plaintiff, according to court documents.

The case is scheduled to be heard in front of a jury in February.

Starship Technologies declined to comment on pending litigation.

Vrana Law Firm, who represents the plaintiff, did not respond to KJZZ’s request for comment.