A fleet of autonomous delivery robots launched by Uber Eats in Leeds has suffered its first major act of vandalism, just days after the service began. The incident, which saw one of the six-wheeled robots tipped over and dumped into a hedge, was carried out by a group of costumed students on a notorious pub crawl.
A Rowdy Night on Headingley Lane
The attack occurred on the evening of Saturday, December 18th, 2025, on Headingley Lane near a popular Wetherspoons pub. The area is a well-known student hub and the starting point for the infamous 'Otley Run' pub crawl, where participants often dress in fancy dress. At least seven people surrounded the robot, which was on its way back to base after completing a delivery.
Footage shows the robot being pushed onto its side, triggering a piercing alarm. After being righted, the lull was brief. Two individuals, one dressed in a cow costume with udders, then lifted the heavy robot before apparently losing their grip, causing it to crash onto the pavement. It was subsequently thrown into a nearby hedge.
Robot 'Shaken' But Set for Return
The robot, operated by technology company Starship, sustained damage. Lisa Johnson, Starship's Vice President who lives in Leeds, commented on the incident. "Sadly, some over-exuberant revellers decided to cause some robot mischief on Saturday night," she said. "The robot suffered some damage and is a little shaken. We're giving it a couple of days' recovery time to get fixed up, but it'll be back out making festive deliveries soon."
Johnson emphasised that such vandalism is rare, stating people usually treat the robots like pets or toddlers. A fleet of 15 robots began operating for Uber Eats in the Headingley, Burley, and Hyde Park areas last week, marking the first European city for this Uber Eats partnership. The robots were already established in Leeds delivering Co-op groceries.
Consequences and Community Response
The company confirmed that footage of the attack will be provided to both West Yorkshire Police and local universities. An Uber Eats spokesperson expressed relief that the robot was recovering and would soon return to delivering meals and festive cheer. No deliveries were missed as the robot was returning to charge.
This incident raises questions about the challenges of deploying autonomous technology in vibrant, high-footfall nightlife areas. While the service aims to convenience students, the combination of the Otley Run's revelry and novel robots proved a temptation for a small group. Starship remains committed to the Leeds community, looking forward to sharing "love and deliveries" in 2026.
