Chicago residents sue delivery robot makers over alleged biometric data collection

What's Happening

• Two Chicago residents filed class-action lawsuits against Coco Robotics and Serve Robotics over unauthorized biometric data collection, according to TechRadar.
• The plaintiffs allege the delivery robots scanned their hands and faces using cameras and LiDAR technology when they unlocked the cargo bays.
• The lawsuits claim the companies retain this sensor data and share it with artificial intelligence firms for training purposes.

Why It Matters

Delivery robots operate in public spaces where data collection consent lacks clear legal boundaries. These lawsuits test how existing privacy laws apply to autonomous hardware. Strict penalties could force manufacturers to redesign customer interactions and navigation systems.