1 hour ago
Last Updated:January 17, 2026, 20:14 IST
Food delivery robots are becoming a common sight in parts of South Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Brickell, downtown Miami and Miami Beach.
Screengrab of viral video (Credits: X)
A video showing a food delivery robot being hit and destroyed by a Brightline train in Miami has spread widely on social media, drawing fresh attention to safety concerns around autonomous delivery technology.
The incident occurred on Thursday, January 15, after the small robot, operated by delivery company Coco, became stuck on railway tracks. The collision was captured on camera by local resident Guillermo Dapelo, who said the robot had been stranded on the tracks for several minutes before the train arrived.
“I was walking my dogs around 8 pm and that’s when I saw the food car standing on the train tracks," Dapelo was quoted as saying by Fox 13 Tampa Bay.
According to Dapelo, an Uber Eats delivery worker noticed the situation and contacted the company to report the robot’s location. However, before the issue could be resolved, the Brightline train passed through the area and struck the device.
Coco confirmed the incident and said the robot had suffered a rare technical issue while crossing the tracks.
“We are aware of the incident in Miami where a Coco robot experienced a rare hardware failure while crossing railroad tracks. Safety is always our top priority, which is why our robots operate at pedestrian speeds, yield to people, and are monitored in real time by human safety pilots," the company said in a statement.
“While all hardware can experience unexpected failures from time to time, in this case, we’re grateful it was a Coco robot and not a vehicle. We’re reviewing the situation carefully to ensure it doesn’t happen again."
Food delivery robots are becoming a common sight in parts of South Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Brickell, downtown Miami and Miami Beach. However, the latest incident has renewed debate over how safe and reliable the technology is in busy urban environments.
Similar Incident Involving Self-Driving Car
Earlier this month, another viral video showed a Waymo self-driving taxi stopped on railway tracks in Phoenix, Arizona, with a passenger jumping out of the vehicle as a train approached. The incident took place in a construction zone where light rail tracks had been added within the past year, which may have confused the car’s navigation system.
Valley Metro, the regional transit operator in Phoenix, confirmed the incident and said the situation was quickly reported to its control centre.
“At approximately 9 am on Wednesday morning, a Valley Metro employee observed an autonomous Waymo vehicle on the northbound light rail tracks near Southern Avenue and Central Avenue in Phoenix," the company said in a statement.
The two incidents have added to growing scrutiny of autonomous delivery robots and self-driving vehicles operating near active rail lines.
First Published:
January 17, 2026, 20:13 IST
News viral Chinese Delivery Robot Crushed By Train In Miami | Watch
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Read More
