GMB, the recognised union representing Deliveroo delivery drivers, has criticised the company’s trial of delivery robots in Nottingham.

In a statement, the union said that these developments “must be negotiated”, and “must never come at the expense of real people and real jobs”.

The trial, announced 5 October, will begin in London’s Canary Wharf this month, followed by an expansion to Milton Keynes, Leeds, Stockton on Tees and Nottingham “in the coming weeks and months”, according to Deliveroo.

The rollout uses four-wheeled robots designed by Coco Robotics, marking the first time the US-based company’s products will hit UK streets, Deliveroo said.

Despite the firm saying its robots have been “welcomed by local authorities” across the country, GMB organiser Claude Bahati raised concerns that these discussions had not involved the company’s drivers.

“It is disappointing that engagement from Deliveroo or the Mayor has not been forthcoming,” he said. “Food couriers continue to struggle with rising living costs and are calling for fairer pay and compensation for return journeys.

“At the same time, many riders face poor treatment at work, often being forced to wait outside in all weather conditions without being given access to the facilities and support needed to do their job.”

He called for decisionmakers to pay greater attention to the realities of the gig economy and ensure that riders are treated with dignity, respect and fairness.

“Deliveroo’s future must include investment in the people who have built its success, not just it's [sic] technologies,” he added.

Delivery robots in the UK have faced opposition from other groups in the past months. A YouGov poll commissioned by Living Streets, a walking and walking environments-focused charity, found in September that 60 per cent of Britons oppose robots using the pavement, while four in five are concerned about their impacts on those with mobility or sight issues.

In its statement announcing the rollout, Deliveroo said that Coco’s robots operate at walking pace, “moving safely through busy city streets”. The company is also partnered with BlindSquare, an accessible GPS app, to provide real-time updates on pavement hazards picked up by its robots.

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