Personal Delivery Devices (PDD's), also known as delivery robots, are ground delivery mechanisms that are remotely operated, self-driving, or both. Under Pennsylvania law, PDDs:

• Are defined as pedestrians
• Can weigh up to 550lbs. when empty
• Can operate at speeds up to 12 miles per hour on sidewalks
• Are permitted to operate in any pedestrian area (ie sidewalk) or on a roadway with a posted speed limit of 25mph or less

Pennsylvania law prohibits local authorities from regulating the operation of PDDs.

This means PennDOT has the sole authority to authorize a company to operate PDD's and regulate the time, place, and manner in which they operate.

PDD's may operate in two phases.

• Phase 1: A PDD operator must be within 30ft. of the PDD
• Phase 2: The PDD may be monitored and operated remotely

Learn more at: penndot.gov/pdd

This project is a collaboration between Denso -- a global Japanese company who manufactures and supplies advanced automotive technology, systems, and components to carmakers worldwide. They also provide industrial and consumer products, and their business areas include thermal management, powertrain control, electronics, information and safety, electrification, and robotics. has received approval from PennDOT for a limited Phase 1 deployment. DENSO will be operating a PDD device on the sidewalks of Penn Ave in the Strip District on select days over an approximate two-week period in October 2025.

Data is being collected using lidar and camera technology. The purpose of this deployment is for a private research project between CMU and DENSO. Data will not be used for commercial purposes or publicly, only for research purposes. DENSO’s full privacy policy can be found here - https://www.denso.com/us-ca/en/privacy-policy/