Can humans and robots peacefully co-exist? Delivery bot CEOs say people are nicer than you'd think.

Delivery robots have taken over some of America's sidewalks. The CEOs behind them say most people pay them no mind.

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• Thousands of delivery robots have now been deployed across US cities and college campuses.
• Videos of delivery robots screwing up have gone viral.
• The CEOs behind them told Business Insider that most people ignore the bots, while some help them.

When William Gude isn't grilling police officers or politicians for his tens of thousands of followers on social media, he's profanely berating delivery robots that get in his way.

Gude, a Los Angeles resident for 25 years, told Business Insider that the robots are everywhere in his Hollywood neighborhood. So much so that he's created an account, "Film The Robots LA," to document the screw-ups of the trundling four-wheeled machines. On TikTok, the account has nearly half a million followers.

Gude doesn't need to hunt for content: "I had an argument with one of them this morning," he said.

Warning: The video below contains expletives.

@filmtherobotsla Had to put delivery robots Lance and Shelby in their place for reckless driving. They put us humans at risk. #deliveryrobot #ubereats #fooddelivery #ubereatsdriver #robot ♬ original sound - Film The Robots LA

Several thousand delivery robots have been deployed in dense urban environments and on college campuses in the US. Scroll through Gude's channel, and viewers might think the machines are having a hard time sharing sidewalks with the rest of the world.

The companies behind them share a different story.

The CEOs of Serve Robotics, Starship Technologies, and Coco Robotics — three of the largest delivery robot companies — told Business Insider that human meddling and mischief are minimal.

Surprisingly, as broader fears around job displacement from AI and humanoid robots take shape, a different attitude has emerged around delivery robots: people want to help and, sometimes, fiercely defend them.

"I have been seriously threatened so many times, quite honestly," Gude said of viewers reacting to his videos.

Humans are nicer than we'd think

One of the biggest fears Zach Rash and his cofounder, Brad Squicciarini, had in the early days of Coco Robotics was whether people could peacefully coexist with robots or take advantage of them.

Both were students at the University of California, Los Angeles. Around 2019, Bird, an electric scooter company, was wildly popular around campus for all the wrong reasons.

"We were front and center of scooters getting absolutely destroyed, especially in a college town, but across LA broadly," Rash said. "In Westwood, people would just go kick them over, or they'd throw them into the trees."

The vandalism turned into social media fodder. Rash recalled one popular Instagram account: "Bird Graveyard."

"That was the core problem with the unit economics of scooters — was that they'd evaporate in a week," Rash said. "So that was our big question: Well, if we're going to make a robot that's going to be a lot more expensive than the scooter, we couldn't tolerate anything near that."

Rash's fears didn't materialize. At least not fully.

All three CEOs told Business Insider that robot abuse exists, but the instances are rare.

A Coco Robotics delivery robot crosses the street in Santa Monica.

Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Ali Kashani, CEO and cofounder of Serve Robotics, said that out of a recent dataset of 10,000 deliveries, 11 were incomplete — a 0.11% failure rate. The figure included failures caused by a robot falling, infrastructure issues, and human interference with the robot.

"I think it became clear very quickly that we as a species have a lower opinion of ourselves," Kashani said. "We think we are worse than we actually are."

Starship CEO Ahti Heinla said that after more than nine million deliveries, not a single robot has been stolen. He said human interference happens so rarely that Starship doesn't track it as a major metric.

Rash said Coco Robotics also hasn't had a single theft and that issues of abuse or vandalism have been "immaterial to the business."

"That was the big worry," Rash said. "Is this going to make it impossible to run the business? And the answer is, 'No.'"

R2-D2, not C-3PO

It may help that the robots are cute.

Kashani said Serve Robotics learned early on that the design could shape how people responded to the machines. A product manager put googly eyes on an early robot, and soon people were pulling over in their cars to ask if they could buy one, he said.

Rash said Coco had a similar instinct.

"It's like R2-D2 instead of C-3PO," Rash said, referencing the "Star Wars" droids. "C-3PO is a little annoying and gets stuck all the time. No one really knows what R2-D2 is supposed to do, but it is constantly fixing all the problems and being super useful and enjoyable."

Starship operates more than 2,700 delivery robots across seven countries.

Leon Neal/Getty Images

Naomi Fitter, a robotics professor at Oregon State University who studies human-robot interaction, said anthropomorphic design choices can improve how people perceive robots. However, the more humanlike or socially apt a robot seems, she said, the more likely people are to overestimate what it can actually do.

In her research on delivery robots, Fitter found generally positive attitudes but also concerns around safety, accessibility, and privacy. She added that those attitudes could sour over time with more exposure, especially if robots start blocking curb cuts or getting in pedestrians' way.

People lend robots a helping hand

Blundering delivery robots are easy viral targets, but another genre of robots-in-the-real-world videos is emerging: People being kind to them.

Kashani said Serve added a feature less than a year ago that allows its robots to ask nearby pedestrians to press crosswalk buttons. He said it could help speed up delivery times.

"Peak Los Angeles status is me helping the food delivery robot cross the road," a caption on one TikTok video said.

Rash said he sees a similar reaction: "If the robot's stuck somewhere, it looks sad and people run over and help it."

Gude said he's seen the full spectrum. In response to his videos, some viewers share his annoyance. Others urge him to be nicer to the "baby." Some get angrier.

"I'll get these messages telling me that I'm a punk for going after a robot, challenging me to fight, or that they're going to kick my a— and they're dead serious," he said.

For Gude, "Film the Robots LA" is mostly in good fun. He doesn't truly wake up every morning with a visceral hatred toward delivery robots. In some videos, he can be seen flipping them upright — not because he feels sorry for them, but more out of a sense of "public service," like moving a shopping cart out of the road for other pedestrians.

Warning: The video below also contains expletives.

@filmtherobotsla

Virgil the food delivery robot got packed out.

♬ original sound - Film The Robots LA

Gude said he does feel he's channeling a real frustration some people have with robots, especially around automation and job displacement.

The CEOs dispute the idea that delivery robots will simply erase jobs.

Kashani said technology has historically changed the labor market more than destroyed it. Rash said cheaper delivery by robots could expand demand while also creating new jobs. Fitter also said, that in some cases, robots can extend human labor rather than replace it.

The bigger, guiding question for creating any kind of new technology, Fitter said, should be whether it "enhances the experience of humanity."

"I believe there are some cases where new technologies don't necessarily do that," Fitter said.

A Serve Robotic delivery robot moves along the sidewalk of West Hollywood.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

For now, delivery robots have claimed their place on America's sidewalks: A mild annoyance to some, ignored by most, and, in some cases, helped by others.

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A doctor shares 3 simple healthy aging habits from Norway, an underrated longevity hotspot

Norway is an underrated hotspot for longevity habits that are fun to do, like hitting the sauna or hiking in nature.

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• Norway is a hidden gem for longevity, with some of the happiest, healthiest people worldwide.
• A doctor said Norwegian habits like outdoor exercise and regular sauna visits have major benefits.
• The nutrient-dense Nordic diet is similar to the Mediterranean diet for boosting health.

Japan. Costa Rica. Italy.

These countries are home to some of the highest concentrations of long-living people on Earth, in regions sometimes called "Blue Zones."

But over 1,000 miles away is a hidden gem of longevity.

Norway may not have the hype of regions like the Mediterranean, but it offers underrated secrets for living longer and having a great time doing it, according to Dr. Jeffrey Rouse.

Rouse, a professor at Tulane University and the chief medical officer at the health tech company Shiftwave, is the guest scholar on an upcoming longevity-focused Norwegian cruise from the travel company Orbridge. Rouse, who specializes in brain health, said he became fascinated with Norway because its distinctive social traditions can help protect the brain from aging.

"Norwegians are a great lens to teach us about some healthy longevity practices," he told Business Insider.

Dr. Jeffrey Rouse said Norway offers distinctive lessons for longevity.

Photos courtesy of Orbridge

Across multiple studies, Norway ranks among the top countries for happiness, lifespan, and health span, the period of life free from chronic disease or other age-related impairment.

Here's what we can learn from Norwegian culture about staving off aging by having fun, from relaxing in a sauna to enjoying the great outdoors.

The Nordic diet is rich in healthy fats

One thing Norwegians have in common with Super-Agers in other regions is that they eat one of the healthiest diets in the world.

"The Norwegian diet is a significant factor. It's been described as the cold-weather cousin to the Mediterranean diet," Rouse said.

The Nordic diet, which refers to eating patterns in Norway as well as countries like Denmark, Finland, and Iceland, is packed with whole, unprocessed foods like vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, seeds, and berries.

It emphasizes eating seasonally and locally when possible, and avoiding processed foods with added sugar and salt.

One key difference from the Mediterranean diet is that the Nordic diet traditionally includes more cold-water seafood like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, according to Rouse. These fish are rich sources of healthy fats like omega-3s, which help protect the brain and body from age-related strain.

The Nordic diet also includes fermented foods like skyr, similar to Greek yogurt, as well as pickled vegetables, which support gut health.

"It's very antioxidant-rich," Rouse said. "You put all that together with the emphasis on vegetables, legumes, and nuts, and it really is a nice model for how to have a good, health-promoting diet."

Norwegians also drink more coffee than almost anywhere in the world, second only to Finland, according to research. The daily longevity brew carries many benefits, and is thought to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Norwegians love outdoor exercise

Another healthy habit among Norwegians is getting plenty of exercise, especially in nature.

A key aspect of Norway's culture is "friluftsliv" which translates to "open air living.'"

"There's a cultural expectation that people go out and spend time in nature, and that they do that communally," Rouse said, adding: "It's deeply embedded in their culture."

In daily life, that includes hiking, biking, walking, skiing, and kayaking year-round, usually as a social activity.

As a result, Norwegians are much more likely than Americans to get the recommended amount of exercise for overall health.

And research suggests outdoor exercise is particularly beneficial, helping to reduce stress, boost energy, and improve mood by raising feel-good endorphins and lowering cortisol.

Norway's sauna culture has anti-aging benefits

The sauna is beloved in Norway, offering heat to sooth sore muscles after vigorous exercise, and contrasting hot and cold therapy during the chilly winter months.

The sauna also offers an opportunity to unwind in a low-key community space. It's linked to benefits like a healthier heart, reduced inflammation, and a lower risk of illnesses including heart disease and dementia.

Sauna culture offers a warming contrast to the brisk air of the Norwegian outdoors.

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Saunas are a hot trend in networking scenes across big cities like New York and London, but Norwegians has done it for centuries.

"Norwegians, like many in the Scandinavian world, have a strong history of sauna, which we know has a number of research-backed benefits for cardiovascular and brain health," Rouse said.

Sauna culture provides an outlet for relaxation and socialization, both of which are crucial to protecting the brain and body as we age.

"Health depends on daily choices, daily activities, and the environments we set ourselves in," Rouse said. "More people are interested in not just 'How can I live to be 85,' but how can I live to be 85 and still retain joy, memory, cognition, and sharpness throughout life."

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Former Amazon VP explains the best way to get a bad manager removed

Ethan Evans, a former Amazon VP, explained why "mutiny" is the best way to get a bad manager removed during an appearance on The Peterman Pod.

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• A former Amazon VP said "mutiny" is the best way to get a bad manager removed from their job.
• Speaking on The Peterman Pod, Ethan Evans said it's key to have more than one person speak up.
• A single complaint can be written off, but multiple voices can't be ignored, Evans said.

A former Amazon vice president says getting a bad manager removed is rarely as simple as escalating complaints — and doing so the wrong way can backfire.

Speaking on "The Peterman Pod," Ethan Evans said employees often assume that raising concerns to their boss's manager will automatically trigger action. In reality, he said, higher-ups face incentives to dismiss or downplay those complaints.

"If you come to me with a weakness in one of my employees," Evans said, there's a "subconsciously" calculated choice: assume the report is overly sensitive, or accept it and create a much bigger problem. If the concern is valid, that forces a leader to potentially "manage them out," hire a replacement, and absorb the extra workload in the meantime.

"So you can see why, even if it's subconscious, I have a lot of reasons not to listen or not to believe very easily," he said.

Instead of having employees escalate concerns on their own, Evans recommends a coordinated approach.

"Never mutiny alone," he said. Employees should compare experiences with coworkers to "sanity check" whether an issue is widespread or a matter of personal style. If multiple people share the same concerns, they should raise them together — or at least signal that others are willing to corroborate.

When recalling a situation involving a problematic leader, Evans said he "probably wouldn't have listened" to a single complaint, but when "several of those reports came up," it became clear action was needed.

In a follow-up email to Business Insider, Evans said the most effective version of this approach includes solid documentation. Employees should gather at least three clear examples, ideally backed by multiple people, and present concerns "dispassionately" as what's best for the team — not as an emotional complaint.

That's where many workers go wrong. The biggest mistake, Evans said, is "complaining bitterly and emotionally," without acknowledging what the manager does well. A more effective approach is to first recognize the manager's strengths, then clearly outline the impact of their shortcomings.

Evans added that skip-level managers are most likely to act when they believe a bad manager is driving away strong performers or creating legal or ethical risks. Otherwise, he said, complaints are easy to dismiss.

Play chess, not checkers

For employees hesitant to confront leadership directly, Evans suggested another strategy: avoid criticizing the manager altogether. Instead, make a business case for transferring teams. "Don't even bring up the manager," he said. "Just say, 'hey, I was looking at this other role, and I think I could do so much more for you and the org over here because of A, B, and C.'"

Ultimately, Evans said navigating these situations requires careful strategy: "You've gotta play chess, not checkers."

Many "bad" managers aren't inherently bad, merely untrained, Evans said, adding that truly problematic managers often share a different trait — they "cannot tolerate any questioning of their authority," defaulting to top-down leadership styles that can worsen under pressure.

His view aligns with a broader workplace reality: ineffective managers are common because organizations routinely promote high performers into management roles without preparing them to lead. Experts like economist Steve Tadelis, in a 2024 episode of "Freakonomics," have similarly said there's little reason to assume top individual contributors will make good managers.

At the same time, companies are flattening management layers and increasing the number of direct reports per boss, leaving many managers overstretched. Some executives acknowledge the learning curve — Figma CEO Dylan Field has said he was initially a "bad manager" because he lacked core skills like relationship-building and consistent one-on-ones.

Success isn't guaranteed: Efforts can fail in what Evans calls "stacked flaws," where higher-level leaders share the same blind spots as the manager in question, making them less likely to recognize a problem.

In those cases — especially when coworkers won't speak up, or the company culture suppresses dissent — Evans said the best move may be to leave and "find a company with a culture that fits you."

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Companies are tightening their belts on Americans' ability to tighten their belts

Iran threatens US-owned companies, including Meta and JP Morgan

On Tuesday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened US-owned companies with Middle East footprints.

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• Iran's Revolutionary Guard on Tuesday threatened US-owned companies with a presence in the Middle East.
• The companies include Tesla, JP Morgan, Microsoft, Apple, and others.
• The statement warned that the companies could be targeted as early as 8 p.m. in Iran on Wednesday.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Tuesday threatened US-owned companies with a presence in the Middle East, including Meta, Tesla, and Boeing.

The statement, which was published by the IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency, warned that the 18 companies listed could be targeted as early as 8 p.m. in Iran on Wednesday.

The Pentagon, White House, and the majority of companies listed, including Dell, Cisco, Intel, and HP, did not respond to requests for comment. JPMorgan and Microsoft declined to comment.

The IRGC statement advised workers to avoid their workplaces and the area within a one-kilometer radius of the locations.

It's unclear how serious a threat it was. The IRGC made a similar threat regarding US-owned companies' infrastructure in Israel.

The US has urged its citizens to reconsider travel to much of the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, "due to the threat of armed conflict and terrorism."

The US and Israel began their joint operation against Iran on February 28. The strikes and retaliation from Iran have continued throughout the month, though there have been overtures to turn down the temperature and end the conflict.

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