Self-driving delivery cart collides with disabled man on mobility scooter; video goes viral
Serve Robotics disputes the account, cites autonomous operation and path adjustment, and says it will form an Accessibility Council
A disabled man with cerebral palsy was struck by a self-driving delivery robot on a sidewalk in an incident captured on video that has circulated online. Mark Chaney, who uses a mobility scooter for longer trips, says a Serve Robotics cart cut in front of him as he was returning home from a medical procedure.
The clip shows Chaney attempting to give the cart space to pass when the robot suddenly stopped and then collided with his mobility scooter. The scene left him in pain as he tried to move along the sidewalk, shouting “seriously” while weaving to avoid the jolting vehicle. The video, circulated on TikTok and Instagram, has drawn more than 20 million views.
Serve Robotics said in an email to KTLA that the robot did not drive in reverse and was operating autonomously while adjusting its path as Chaney approached. The company said the robot ultimately determined that the safest option was to come to a complete stop as proximity increased, likening the moment to two people at a doorway hesitating to pass one another. It added that predicting another person’s movements in real time without direct communication is a challenge for autonomous systems.
Chaney said the response felt dismissive and criticized the company for not taking accountability, noting that it seemed to blame him rather than address safety concerns. He has had multiple negative encounters with delivery robots before, including moments when he has stepped into the street on crutches to avoid one.
The Daily Mail reached out to Serve Robotics for comment. In response to the incident, the company said it plans to launch an Accessibility Council to help improve the robot’s safety system and to involve people with disabilities in the design process.
The broader context of the episode touches ongoing debates about autonomous delivery technology in urban environments. As self-driving carts become more common on sidewalks and backstreets, safety protocols, accessibility standards, and real-time predictive capabilities remain key areas for industry and regulators to address.