Cyclist sues delivery robot company after crash

The above video is KXAN coverage from Oct. 7, 2024 about the launch of Avride’s delivery robots.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Autonomous vehicle company Avride faces a lawsuit in Travis County courts, filed by a cyclist who claims that a delivery robot, operated by the company, allegedly collided with his e-bike.

KXAN reached out to Avride Friday morning. If a response is received, we'll update this story.

The cyclist said that the crash occurred Sept. 10, 2024 at 10:20 a.m. According to the filing, it happened at the intersection of Philomena Street and Berkman Drive.

The cyclist claims in the lawsuit that he was in a southbound bike lane on Berkman Drive and had the right of way to enter the road's intersection with Philomena Street.

"At that time, a delivery robot owned by [Avride] began crossing the intersection ... resulting in a collision between the Plaintiff and the robot of the Defendant," the lawsuit states. "As a result of the collision, Plaintiff sustained serious, personal injuries."

The lawsuit accuses the company of negligent behavior by failing to prevent the collision. The cyclist asks in the suit for a jury to award compensatory damages for pain and anguish, lost wages, medical expenses, damage to the bike and other personal property, and disfigurement.

The company started to operate delivery robots in the Mueller neighborhood in May 2024.

“They can detect other objects, pedestrians, bicycles, cars, assess their speeds, distances to them, and plan their route accordingly,” said Avride’s Head of Communications Yulia Shveyko during the rollout. "Robots are technically not pedestrians. So they have to give right away to all other kinds of traffic they meet other these are pedestrians, bicycles, motorbikes or cars.”