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popularrecluse • yesterday at 11:57 PM • 11 replies • view on HN

What if the robot was delivering insulin? Would it be such a noble act then?

Not saying I disagree in principle, but the protestor assumes a lot of knowledge.


Replies

nanolith • today at 12:04 AM

I'd say that this would bring up a bigger issue: why would Uber Eats be in the business of using robot couriers to deliver vital medications? Sandwiches or non-essential goods? Sure, I can understand this maybe, bracketing societal issues that these machines represent.

Prescription medications are controlled. If this robot is damaged or destroyed, the patient may not get their insulin at all without further authorization from their doctor or their insurance company. Those logistical issues are much thornier than a retired professor blocking a delivery robot.

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RobotToaster • today at 12:02 AM

It would be incredibly irresponsible to trust the delivery of medication to an unreliable robot.

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BLKNSLVR • today at 12:28 AM

Insulin delivery is too important to be left to sidewalk robots that are easily stolen, blocked, destroyed (esp. in Philly), or otherwise prone to failure for technical, new technology reasons.

walt_grata • today at 12:00 AM

I'll bet the person protesting would be of the opinion that it should be delivered by a person regardless of what it was.

Regardless there is a stark difference between medication, which is necessary, and hot prepared meals, which are a luxury.

alamortsubite • today at 12:06 AM

Nice try, but the reality is this was just somebody's burrito. And if it were my burrito, I wouldn't be the least bit mad.

pryelluw • yesterday at 11:59 PM

Are there food delivery robots that deliver insulin?

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bradgranath • today at 12:01 AM

There is no way in a cold hell that fucking UberEats would ever be brave enough to accept the liability necessary for that to be a thing.

devindotcom • today at 12:12 AM

you're right. for that matter I suppose ICE could also be carrying insulin. better not protest them either.

analog31 • today at 12:06 AM

Insulin... to children.

boesboes • today at 12:01 AM

[flagged]

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antonvs • today at 12:05 AM

The protestor assumes nothing more than that these are Uber Eats robots. Getting your Big Mac without moving your ass off the couch doesn't have quite the same moral status as having insulin delivered.

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