Authorizing Personal Delivery Devices in City Right
-of-Way
San José City Council, Oct. 6, 2026
Agenda Item 5.1
Presenters:
John Ristow, Director, Department of Transportation
Ramses Madou, Division Manger, Department of Transportation Laura Stuchinsky, Emerging Mobility Program Lead, Department of Transportation 1 Two Active:
• Coco Robotics: 2 ft tall, 2.5 ft long, 2 ft wide
• Serve Robotics: 3 ft tall, 2.6 ft long, 2 ft wide
o Primarily use sidewalks.
o Max speed 10 miles per hour
o 1-2 mile service range
• Third Planning to Come:
• DoorDash’s Dot: 5 ft tall, 3 ft wide
o Primarily uses bikeways.
o Max speed 20 miles per hour
o 3-5 mile service range
2 Delivery Robots in San José
Benefits
3 • Reduce traffic: replace local, solooccupancy vehicle delivery trips • Reduce emissions: all electric
• Help those with mobility constraints to
more easily access food, meals, pharmacy
supplies, etc.
• San José open to innovation
Challenges
Bikeways • Speed differential with other riders • Passing/being passed safely • Little room to steer clear in protected lanes Sidewalks Robots • Block/impede vulnerable pedestrians • Low visibility at night/dusk/dawn • Robot stopping suddenly or not traveling in a straight line
• Confused robot entering crosswalk in front
of moving bikes and/or cars.
4 Draft Admin Regulations - All Devices
General
• One year permit. Reserve the right to limit number of operators, number of devices, and service area.
• 5 MPH limit on sidewalks, pedestrian pathways, and crosswalks. • Lights on all the time and visible from every direction. • Every device must display a unique identifier number and contact info. (Also in Braille and raised letters)
Operation
• Obey traffic laws and pedestrian signals.
• No obstruction of sidewalks, crosswalks, ramps, etc.
• Disabled robots must be moved within 30 minutes or be subject to fine.
Engagement
• Operators must demonstrate they have engaged area residents (including disability advocates), businesses, and relevant Council District Offices.
5 Draft Admin Regulations –
Bikeway Devices
General:
• One year pilot permit
• Must have brake, hazard, and all-the-time lights (visible all directions)
• Auditory/visual warning – passing/alert
Operation:
• Match speed to pace of slower cyclists ahead
• Yield to cyclist behind if robot can’t match cyclist’s pace or encounters obstacle
• Max 5 MPH max at protected intersections
• Emergency flashing lights when device is disabled
Outreach:
• Include bike advocacy community in community
engagement
6 Outreach to Date
7 Organization Date
Policy Director, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition April 20 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee May 18
Chair, Committee on Access and Transportation for the California Council of the Blind and President, Silicon Valley Council of the Blind June 4
Paseo District Committee June 22
Citywide Zoom Community meeting July 21
Alameda Business Association, 2 board members July 30
Heritage District meeting August 3
Alameda Business Association, member meeting August 27
Ex Director Silicon Valley Independent Living Center September 10 Willow Glen Neighborhood Association September 14
Recommendation • Approve an ordinance adding Chapter 11.91 to Title 11 of the San José Municipal Code relating to the regulation
of Personal Delivery Devices.
• Adopt a resolution amending the 2026-2027 Schedule
of Fees and Charges (Resolution No. RES2026-183, as
amended) to establish a Personal Delivery
Device Annual Permit and Program Monitoring
Operating Fee of $200 per device and a
Pilot Roadway-using Personal Delivery Device Permit
and Program Monitoring Operating fee of $250 per
device.
• Adopt a resolution amending the Administrative Citation Schedule of Fines to add fines for violations of Chapter
11.91 of Title 11 of the San José Municipal Code related to prohibited conduct for Personal Delivery Device
operators, and repealing Resolution RES2025-403
8 John Ristow, Director, DOT
Ramses Madou, Division Manger, DOT
Laura Stuchinsky, Emerging Mobility
Program Lead, DOT