Hoboken Approves Delivery Robot Pilot Program

Picture this: you order a slice from your favorite pizzeria on Washington Street. Instead of a car pulling up and double-parking, a small, boxy robot rolls up to your door, moving at a leisurely walking pace. It sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, but starting September 3rd, that could be part of everyday life in Hoboken.

The city has officially approved a 12-month pilot program with Coco Robotics and Avride, two companies that make low-speed electric delivery robots. The Hoboken City Council gave the green light on Friday, and the first 20 robots—10 from each company—will start rolling out in a small zone in the First Ward before expanding to other neighborhoods.

What Exactly Is a Delivery Robot?

These robots, officially called Personal Delivery Devices (or PDDs), are designed to travel on sidewalks at pedestrian speeds. They can hit a top speed of 6 miles per hour, but typically they’ll amble along at around 2 mph. That’s about the speed of someone walking their dog—or a hurried jogger.

The robots are built to yield to pedestrians and other sidewalk users at all times. If someone’s in the way, the robot slows down, stops, or reroutes. They’re also restricted from certain areas, like parks, and will be parked in spots with light foot traffic. Overnight, they get moved off-street entirely.

How Did We Get Here?

Hoboken has been eyeing ways to cut down on traffic and double-parking for years. The city is one of the most densely packed municipalities in the country, and delivery vehicles are a big part of the congestion problem. Food delivery has exploded in popularity, but it comes with a cost—idling cars, blocked bike lanes, and frustrated commuters.

The idea of using robots for deliveries isn’t new. Several cities across the U.S. have tested them, and companies like Coco and Avride have been refining the technology. For Hoboken, this pilot is a chance to see if the robots can actually make a difference in how locals get their food.

What It Means for You

If you live in the First Ward, you might start seeing these robots on the sidewalk in a few weeks. You’ll be able to order from participating restaurants through the usual apps—DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, or Wonder—and choose robotic delivery at checkout if it’s available. When the robot arrives, the app will give you instructions on how to grab your food.

For the rest of the city, the pilot will expand gradually, depending on how things go. The goal is to reduce vehicle trips, ease congestion, and give local businesses another delivery option. The robots won’t replace human drivers entirely, but they might take some pressure off the streets.

What People Are Saying

Mayor Emily Jabbour says the pilot is about “responsibly testing a different approach to local deliveries while prioritizing pedestrian safety, accessibility, sustainability, and accountability.” She’s eager to hear what residents and business owners think as the program unfolds.

First Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano, whose district will see the robots first, called it “good government” and praised the “responsible guardrails” built into the program. He also emphasized that there’s a “channel for resident feedback” from day one.

What Comes Next

The robots are set to start Sept 3rd in a small area of the First Ward, running seven days a week on a limited schedule. Both Coco and Avride will employ local staff to handle deployment, maintenance, and charging. The city will collect data on deliveries, miles traveled, and emissions avoided—and, crucially, hear from residents about how it’s going.

If the pilot goes well, the number of robots could grow, but only with city approval. If it doesn’t, Hoboken can pull the plug. Either way, residents will have a say. There’s no meeting or hearing scheduled yet, but the city encourages people to share feedback through its official channels once the robots hit the street.

This is a test run, not a done deal. The robots are coming, but whether they stay will depend on how they fit into the everyday rhythm of Hoboken—and whether residents decide they’re a welcome addition or just another obstacle on the sidewalk.