Delivery Robot Community Meeting - July 21, 2026

The City of San Jose held a Delivery Robot Community Meeting on July 21, 2026, to discuss the development of policies and draft administrative regulations governing the use of personal delivery devices (robots) on sidewalks and bike lanes. City staff and delivery robot operators presented details about the robots' operation, safety features, and pilot program parameters. Key procurement-related topics included the issuance of one-year pilot permits (non-renewable by default), enforcement mechanisms including fines and permit revocation, and the requirement that operators cover operational costs such as sidewalk maintenance indirectly through permit fees. The city emphasized that it is not contracting these services but regulating them through permits. The meeting also addressed community concerns about safety, accessibility, data privacy, and the impact on jobs. The city plans to monitor the pilot closely, gather community input, and bring the regulations to the city council for approval in September 2026. No direct contract awards or RFPs were announced, but the meeting outlined the regulatory framework that will govern vendor operations and future procurement opportunities related to delivery robot services in San Jose.