Serve Robotics delivery robot crosses police tape at Hollywood High School
A Serve Robotics delivery robot rolled under police tape and through an LAPD scene outside Hollywood High School during a reported shooting that turned out to be a hoax.
Key facts
- A Serve Robotics delivery robot drove under police tape and through a police scene outside Hollywood High School in Los Angeles on September 13, 2022.
- Police were responding to a reported school shooting that was later determined to be a hoax.
- Video shows a bystander lifting the tape so the robot could pass and continue past LAPD officers.
- Serve Robotics said a remote robot supervisor believed the robot was being waved through.
- Serve Robotics said its standard procedure is to reroute rather than cross barrier tape.
What happened
On September 13, 2022, Los Angeles police cordoned off the area around Hollywood High School after a report of a shooting at the school. The report was later found to be a hoax.
A bystander filming the police response recorded a Serve Robotics delivery robot approaching the yellow tape. According to the person who filmed it, the robot kept trying to get through until someone standing nearby raised the tape. The robot then rolled under it and continued along the sidewalk past a group of officers inside the cordon. The video was widely shared.
No one was hurt and there was no report that the robot interfered with evidence or with officers.
The system involved
Serve Robotics operates sidewalk robots that deliver restaurant orders, including for Uber Eats, in parts of Los Angeles. The robots drive themselves on sidewalks, with remote human supervisors who can direct them in situations the software does not handle on its own. In this case the company said a human supervisor made the decision to proceed.
Investigation and response
Serve Robotics said its standard operating procedure is for robots to reroute and not cross barrier tape. It said the robot supervisor in this case thought the robot was being waved through, and that the company was taking steps to ensure the procedure is followed in future.
The news reports reviewed did not include a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department, and no enforcement action was reported.
What is not established
The reports reviewed do not establish who lifted the tape or whether any officer signaled the robot to proceed.
Outcomes
- Serve Robotics said its procedure is to reroute around barrier tape and that it was taking steps to make sure the procedure is followed.
Sources
- Food Delivery Robot Casually Drives Under Police Tape, Through Active Crime SceneVICE, September 16, 2022
- Watch: Food delivery robot crashes crime scenePolice1, September 19, 2022