this post was submitted on 17 Oct 2026
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A retired Penn professor has been blocking Uber Eats robots for months. This week, she got arrested for it (www.phillyvoice.com)
submitted 1 day ago by UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
229 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/53250107

Police confirmed they had responded to a report of "criminal mischief involving a robot" on the 1200 block of Filbert Street around 1:16 p.m. on Wednesday. A woman on the scene ignored "multiple commands" to move, they said, resulting in a criminal violation notice for disorderly conduct.

Uber declined to comment.

Marvin, who plans to contest the charge on the grounds of her First Amendment right to protest, has been undeterred by the arrest. She plans to continue blocking Uber Eats robots and chatting with curious passersby who ask what she's doing.

"It allows me to talk to people about what's going on," she said. "It's always very interesting conversations that we have, and I think it's good to have those kinds of conversations in public space."

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[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 3 points 13 hours ago (3 children)

Do you really think the person whose food doesn't arrive will regret ordering from a robot and will then elect to stop ordering takeout?

I think they're more likely to end up being against the people who got in between them and their food.

[–] dirthawker0@lemmy.world 2 points 7 hours ago* (last edited 7 hours ago)

What she's doing somewhat parallels protesters who block the freeway. Sure, it creates awareness, but drivers are just trying to get home, get to work, pick up kids, etc. I don't think it would endear any commuter to their cause.

[–] minorkeys@sh.itjust.works 3 points 11 hours ago

If you never get your food, I guess you'll stop, no? Y'all won't stop otherwise, it seems.

[–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 5 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago) (1 children)

They might complain, they'll definitely call whoever took their money and demand answers.

They'll be told their order was held up because someone messed with the robot delivering their order. They'll maybe ask why a person couldn't have done that job. Maybe they'll ask if a person would have just sit there being blocked by some random lady instead of just going around her or taking a different route.

Customer service won't have an answer for them, and next time they go to order food, they probably won't use Uber eats.

[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 1 points 6 hours ago

I think that's incredibly idealistic. I imagine the customer more likely demanding better pathfinding.