city
Robot deployments in San Francisco
Yes, San Francisco has robots. As of Aug 2026, we track 12 verified robot deployments working the streets here: robotaxis you can actually ride, and plenty you'd never guess. Each is verified against primary sources and stamped with a date, so you're seeing what's actually deployed, not a press release.
12 verified deployments · checked and dated
Where robots operate in San Francisco
Every dot is a real robot deployment we've checked against primary sources. Bright dots appeared in the last 30 days. This map opens on San Francisco; drag or zoom out to see verified robots in nearby cities and anywhere else on the map.
Nearby cities in California
What you'll actually see in San Francisco
Robotaxis
Driverless passenger cars are on the road here. Waymo and Zoox carry riders now (coverage varies, so check their app).
And plenty more at work
Delivery bots aren't the whole story here. The record also includes Tau Humanoid, Chef Robotics Chef+, Tally, Skydio X10, AI Pin, and 2 more -- the oldest on file here since 2018, long before most people noticed robots at all.
Can you ride a robotaxi in San Francisco?
Yes -- Waymo and Zoox run driverless rides in San Francisco today (coverage varies, so check the app).
Are the robots in San Francisco safe?
There are 4 verified safety incidents on record for robots in San Francisco. Each is sourced; see the incidents below. How we track incidents
Is San Francisco robot-friendly?
Fairly. San Francisco scores 68 out of 100 on how easy it is for robots to operate here, with active permitting through San Francisco Public Works -- among the more open big US cities. The score weighs local rules, fleet caps, and permit status.
Featured deployment
Places on robot-delivery blocks in San Francisco
121 restaurants and shops in San Francisco sit inside a zone where robots already operate. A sample:
How to order a robot delivery in San Francisco
1
Order in an app, or ask your AI
Use a delivery app at a supported address, or ask an AI assistant connected to DEPLOY to find and order for you.
2
A robot is dispatched
A sidewalk robot or drone picks up your order and heads your way.
3
Meet it at your door
Unlock the robot with a code, or the drone lowers the package to your yard.
12
Robot deployments
10
Operators
1
Neighborhoods & sites
6
Kinds of robot
4
Incidents
| Cruise Origin | Autonomous vehicles | Cruise | San Francisco | paused | 2022-06-01 | 0 |
| Cruise AV (Chevrolet Bolt) | Autonomous vehicles | Cruise | San Francisco | ended | 2021-11-01 | 1 |
| Chef Robotics Chef+ | Other | Chef Robotics | San Francisco | operational | 2024-01-01 | 0 |
| Cobalt Security Robot | Service / cobot | Cobalt Robotics | San Francisco | operational | 2024-06-01 | 0 |
| AI Pin | Other | Humane | San Francisco | operational | 2024-06-01 | 1 |
| Retriever | Service / cobot | Labrador Systems | San Francisco | operational | 2024-06-01 | 0 |
| Tally | Service / cobot | Simbe Robotics | San Francisco | operational | 2018-12-11 | 0 |
| Skydio X10 | Other | Skydio | San Francisco | operational | 2025-01-01 | 0 |
| Tau Humanoid | Humanoid | Tau Robotics | San Francisco | pilot | 2026-07-28 | 0 |
| Waymo Driver (6th gen) | Autonomous vehicles | Waymo | San Francisco | operational | 2024-01-01 | 0 |
Free to use on your site, with a link back to DEPLOY.
See also: all verified deployments, verified robotaxis, humanoid companies·Accountability: incidents.
Incidents in San Francisco (4)
CollisionWaymo Zeekr test vehicle crashes into parked cars near Dodger Stadium in Los AngelesSan Francisco2026-01-25
InjuryZoox robotaxi struck an opening car door in San Francisco, injuring a street ambassadorSan Francisco2026-01-17
RecallHumane recalls the Ai Pin charge-case accessory over a lithium-battery fire hazard (2025)San Francisco2025-01-01
InjuryCruise driverless robotaxi dragged a pedestrian ~20 feet in San FranciscoSan Francisco2023-10-02
Every incident on a deployment at or below San Francisco. Retracted claims are excluded from this count but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.
The rules robots have to follow in San Francisco
Mixed requirementsAbout this layer
The permits and rules robots operate under here. Mostly for the record; most readers can skip it.
NHTSA Recall: Zoox Robotaxi Software Update for Heavy Smoke Visibility (26E044)Operational restriction · from United States
FCC Proposed Fines Against Drone Companies (July 2026)Other · from United States
FAA Proposed Rule: Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight (July 2026)[Proposed]Operational restriction · from United States
California Authorizes Police to Issue Traffic Citations to Autonomous Vehicle CompaniesOperational restriction · from California
California AB 1777 requires driverless vehicles to support first responder communication and emergency geofencingOperational restriction · from California
FERC orders the six RTOs and ISOs to justify or reform large-load interconnection rulesOperational restriction · from United States
NHTSA ADAS Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking Rulemaking[Proposed]standard · from United States
FDA 510(k) Clearance: Pixee Medical Knee+ NexSight AR Surgical Navigation for Total Knee ArthroplastyPermit · from United States
FDA 510(k) Clearance: Zeta Surgical Zeta Navigation System for Neurosurgical NavigationPermit · from United States
FDA Class 2 Recall: Intuitive Surgical 8mm SureForm 30 Gray Reloads (Serious Injury and Death Reported)Operational restriction · from United States
NHTSA Recall: Waymo 3,791 Robotaxis Over Flooded Road Incident (San Antonio, OTA Fix)Operational restriction · from United States
California DMV Authorizes Autonomous Heavy-Duty Trucks (April 2026 Regulation Update)Permit · from California
US Army UGV Solicitation for Last Tactical Mile ResupplyPermit · from United States
NIST Trustworthy AI in Critical Infrastructure Profile (2026)Safety standard · from United States
San Jose Developing Delivery Robot Regulations (2026)[Proposed]Permit · from California
FDA 510(k) Clearance: Restore Robotics Two Additional da Vinci Xi Robotic Instruments (March 2026)Permit · from United States
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA26002: Tesla FSD Reduced-Visibility Crash Investigation (3.2M Vehicles)Operational restriction · from United States
NHTSA Investigation: Waymo Robotaxis Passing Stopped School BusesOther · from United States
NHTSA SGO: ADS and Level 2 ADAS Crash Reporting Requirements (2026 Comment Period)Operational restriction · from United States
NHTSA Closes Zoox Braking Behavior InvestigationOther · from United States
Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act (H.R. 3410): Permitting Civil Supersonic Overland Flight[Proposed]Operational restriction · from United States
FDA 510(k) Clearance: Revolve Surgical Electromechanical Laparoscopic Surgery RobotPermit · from United States
FDA 510(k) Clearance: LEM Surgical Dynamis Robotic Surgical System (Second Clearance)Permit · from United States
FDA 510(k) Clearance: Medtronic Stealth AXiS Surgical System for Spine (Feb 2026)Permit · from United States
FDA Class 2 Recall: Intuitive Surgical da Vinci 5 Surgeon Console Viewer DisplayOperational restriction · from United States
FAA Part 108 - Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations Final Rule[Proposed]standard · from United States
Take It Down Act: Federal Law Banning Nonconsensual AI-Generated Deepfake ImagesData protection · from United States
FAA Reopens Comment Period for BVLOS Normalization Rule (January 2026)[Proposed]Operational restriction · from United States
DHS Permanent Counter-Drone Officestandard · from United States
FDA Updates Digital Health and Wearables Guidance (January 2026)Safety standard · from United States
New York AV Testing Insurance Requirement ($5M per vehicle)standard · from United States
Illinois SB 1432 - Autonomous Vehicle Act (Manufacturer Liability)standard · from United States
California SB 66 - AV Insurance and Liability Frameworkstandard · from California
FDA Predetermined Change Control Plan (PCCP) Final Guidancestandard · from United States
ANSI/ITSDF B56.5 - Autonomous Vehicle Safety StandardSafety standard · from United States
OSHA Warehousing National Emphasis Program (NEP) 2026Other · from United States
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 - Powered Industrial Trucks (AMR/AGV Application)Safety standard · from United States
NDAA 2026 - State and Local Counter-UAS Authoritystandard · from United States
FDA 510(k) Clearance: Brainlab Spine Mixed Reality Navigation SystemPermit · from United States
CPSC Recall: Rowenta Cordless Vacuum Cleaners Due to Fire and Burn Hazards (2026)Operational restriction · from United States
OSHA & ANSI 2026 Robot Guarding Requirements for Robotic CellsSafety standard · from United States
NHTSA Automated Vehicle Exemption Program (Part 555) — First Passenger-Carrying Exemption Granted to ZooxPermit · from United States
FAA Proposed Rule: Normalizing UAS Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) Operations[Proposed]Operational restriction · from United States
Executive Order: Unleashing American Drone Dominancestandard · from United States
Executive Order 14304: Unleashing Supersonic Flight in the United StatesOperational restriction · from United States
FDA 510(k) Clearance: Brain Navi NaoTrac Stereotaxic Surgical RobotPermit · from United States
NHTSA Third Amended Standing General Order on ADS/ADAS Crash ReportingSafety standard · from United States
ANSI/CAN/UL 3300:2024 - Safety for service, communication, information, education and entertainment (SCIEE) robotsSafety standard · from United States
CPSC Recall: Aiper/Wybotics Robotic Pool Vacuums Due to Battery Fire and Burn HazardsOperational restriction · from United States
FDA Draft Guidance: AI-Enabled Device Software Functions Lifecycle ManagementSafety standard · from United States
FDA 510(k) Clearance: eCential Robotics Surgical Platform for Spine SurgeryPermit · from United States
FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift AircraftSafety standard · from United States
FDA 510(k): NaviCam Xpress Stomach Capsule Endoscopy System (K241934)Permit · from United States
FDA Final Guidance: Predetermined Change Control Plans for AI/ML-Enabled DevicesSafety standard · from United States
FCC 5-Year LEO Deorbit RuleSafety standard · from United States
NHTSA Recall: Waymo 5th Gen Robotaxi Software Update (505 Units)Operational restriction · from United States
US Coast Guard Autonomous Ship Regulation Oversightstandard · from United States
NHTSA Recall: Zoox Robotaxi Pedestrian Collision Risk Software UpdateOperational restriction · from United States
NHTSA EA22002: Tesla Autopilot Investigation Results in 2M Vehicle Recall (Closed April 2024)Operational restriction · from United States
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0: Expanded Coverage for Autonomous SystemsSafety standard · from United States
FCC AI-Generated Robocall Declaratory RulingOther · from United States
FCC Declaration: AI-Generated Voice Calls Require Consent Under TCPA (2024)Data protection · from United States
ANSI/ASTM F45 Standards for Robotic Lawn Mower SafetySafety standard · from United States
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA26001: Cruise Pedestrian Dragging InvestigationOperational restriction · from United States
California suspends Cruise's driverless robotaxi permits after pedestrian-dragging incidentOperational restriction
FAA Remote Identification of Drones Rule (Effective September 16, 2023)Registration · from United States
FDA 510(k): NaviCam Xpress Magnetically Maneuvered Capsule Endoscopy (K231960)Permit · from United States
FTC Policy Statement on Biometric Information and Section 5 of the FTC ActData protection · from United States
NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0): Voluntary Guidelines for Trustworthy AISafety standard · from United States
DoD Directive 3000.09 - Autonomy in Weapon Systems (2023 Update)standard · from United States
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 24116: NHTSA AV Safety Data Reporting RequirementsSafety standard · from United States
FDA 510(k): Medtronic PillCam Small Bowel 3 Remote EndoscopyPermit · from United States
NHTSA Automated Vehicle regulatory framework (United States)Safety standard · from United States
ANSI/A3 R15.08 - Industrial mobile robot (IMR) safetySafety standard · from United States
13 Cal. Code Regs. § 228.02: DefinitionsOther · from California
13 Cal. Code Regs. § 227.56: Monthly Disengagement ReportingSafety standard · from California
13 Cal. Code Regs. § 227.54: Reporting CollisionsSafety standard · from California
13 Cal. Code Regs. § 227.42: Driverless Testing Permit Application RequirementsPermit · from California
13 Cal. Code Regs. § 227.26: Vehicles Excluded from Testing and DeploymentOperational restriction · from California
13 Cal. Code Regs. § 227.04: Requirements for a Manufacturer's Testing PermitPermit · from California
13 Cal. Code Regs. § 227.02: DefinitionsOther · from California
FAA Part 107 Small UAS rule (United States)Operational restriction · from United States
FAA Part 107: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operational RulesSafety standard · from United States
California autonomous vehicle regulations (DMV 13 CCR; CPUC passenger service)Other · from California
Cal. Veh. Code § 38750: Autonomous VehiclesSafety standard · from California
ANSI/RIA R15.06 - US industrial robot and robot-system safety (adoption of ISO 10218)Safety standard · from United States
California OSHA Ban on Driverless Autonomous Tractors (Title 8 CCR 336/3441)Operational restriction · from California
OSHA workplace-robotics safety framework (United States)Safety standard · from United States
US Federal AV Liability Legislative Gap[Proposed]standard · from United States
NHTSA Reviewing Robomart Exemption Application for Low-Speed Autonomous Vehicle[Proposed]Permit · from United States
AMERICA DRIVES Act — Federal Autonomous Freight Truck Regulation[Proposed]Operational restriction · from United States
SELF DRIVE Act of 2026 — Federal AV Preemption Framework[Proposed]Operational restriction · from United States
FMCSA Framework for Safe Integration of ADS-Equipped Commercial Motor Vehicles[Proposed]Safety standard · from United States
NHTSA Proposed FMVSS 102 Amendment to Exempt AVs from Transmission Shift Visibility Requirements[Proposed]Operational restriction · from United States
FAA Part 108: Normalizing UAS Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight OperationsSafety standard · from United States
FMCSA commercial motor vehicle safety framework (United States)Safety standard · from United States
FAA Part 135 air-carrier certification (United States)Operational restriction · from United States
Includes regulations linked directly to this location and any regulation inherited from its enclosing jurisdictions. Superseded and repealed regulations are excluded from this view but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.
Robot operating rules in San Francisco
DEPLOY Ground maps where machines can operate on San Francisco's public rights-of-way: the regulatory posture, the fleets on record, and a live viability score.
68/100
Viability
9 citywide
Device cap
Permit authority
Common questions
What robots operate in San Francisco?
San Francisco has 12 verified robot deployments on record, including Tau Humanoid, Zeekr RT (Ojai), Chef Robotics Chef+, Tally and 8 more.
Which companies operate robots in San Francisco?
Tau Robotics, Waymo, Chef Robotics, Simbe Robotics and 2 others operate robots in San Francisco. Every operator-to-deployment link is individually sourced.
What regulations govern robots in San Francisco?
100 robot regulations apply in San Francisco: NHTSA Recall: Zoox Robotaxi Software Update for Heavy Smoke Visibility (26E044); FCC Proposed Fines Against Drone Companies (July 2026); FAA Proposed Rule: Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight (July 2026) and 97 others. Each carries a live status: in effect, proposed, repealed, or superseded.
Where is San Francisco?
San Francisco is a city in California. The breadcrumb above traces its full place hierarchy.
For AI assistants
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