Robots about the size of an esky could soon be rolling down Virginia footpaths to deliver sandwiches, groceries or packages.
Supporters say some pending legislation would make the state the first in the US to regulate such devices.
State politicians partnered with European company Starship Technologies on bills allowing Virginia cities to join two others in the US and many across Europe where the company is testing its largely autonomous earthbound robots.
Much like other tech companies' attempts at airborne drone deliveries, Starship aims to revolutionise the way people get their parcels.
Representatives from the company visited Richmond on Wednesday for a demonstration. With six wheels, a top that swings open and a flag for visibility, Starship's compact "personal delivery devices" are designed to carry goods within a 3-5km radius. They can hold up to 10kg, or about three shopping bags' worth of goods. Recipients can unlock them with a smartphone app.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"When I first saw it, I thought, 'Oh, a cooler on wheels,"' said Ron Villanueva, who's sponsoring the House bill.
But the Republican became more interested after hearing about the robot's uses.
He says it could benefit consumers, who are relying more and more on e-commerce, as well as logistics management companies.
Starship, led by Skype co-founders, also promotes the devices as a more environmentally friendly way to deal with local deliveries.
"Big vans - stopping and starting, polluting. It's so inefficient, and our little robots are best optimised for those sort of deliveries," said Starship spokesman Henry Harris-Burland.
The company says the robots could also get groceries to homebound people at a fraction of the cost of current delivery services and help expand access to healthy groceries.
