Delivery robots in Chicago accused of scanning faces without consent

Two people in Chicago are suing the companies behind sidewalk delivery robots. They say the robots captured and measured their faces without asking, then used the data to train artificial intelligence. The proposed class action lawsuits name Coco Robotics and Serve Robotics. Both companies deny collecting biometric data from customers or passersby.

What the lawsuits claim

Mitchell Breidinger says he did not choose robot delivery for his DoorDash groceries, but a Coco robot arrived at his home in September 2025. He says that while he typed in a pickup code, its cameras captured his face, head and hands. He also says lidar, a kind of 3D imaging that measures shapes, mapped those body parts.

Breidinger further alleges a Coco remote operator watched the delivery on video. He says the company never told him in writing that it planned to collect biometric data or how long it would keep it. The second plaintiff, Barry Schain, says he got three Serve deliveries with Uber Eats orders even though he had not picked robot delivery.

What the law says

The suits rely on Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act. It requires companies to give written notice of what data they collect and why, get written consent first, and keep set schedules for retention and deletion. The plaintiffs seek $1,000 for each negligent violation or $5,000 for each intentional or reckless one, plus other relief.

What the companies say

Serve Robotics told CNET its robots use cameras and sensors to navigate Chicago sidewalks safely. It says it does not use that data to identify people, and its systems are not built to identify individuals or create biometric profiles. Coco did not respond to CNET. A spokesperson told the Associated Press the company collects only navigation data and does not share data from the start or end of delivery trips under its data sharing partnerships.

Why it reaches beyond Chicago

Coco runs about 1,000 robots in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, DC and Miami. Serve has more than 2,000 in six areas, including Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth. Both mainly deliver food for DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub. One forecast puts the US robot delivery market at $3.1 billion by 2035, up from $252 million in 2025. Robots have also been punched, kicked and tipped over, according to The New York Times.

What to do

• Remember that a delivery robot carries cameras and sensors, and may capture what is near it.
• Check your delivery app, because robot delivery can often be skipped.
• If a robot arrives that you did not choose, note the date and the app you used.

The claims are allegations, and the companies dispute them. The outcome of the cases is not known yet.