An Uber Eats food delivery robot in America was smashed to pieces after a malfunction left it stranded in the path of an oncoming train.
The autonomous courier, which was not carrying any food at the time, remained stationary for approximately 15 minutes before the high-speed passenger service collided with it in Miami.
Local resident Guillermo Dapelo captured footage of the incident, which has since spread rapidly across social media.
No people were harmed during the collision, though the small robotic vehicle was completely destroyed by the impact.
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Mr Dapelo was out walking his dogs at around 8pm when he spotted the stricken machine sitting on the tracks.
He explained: "An Uber Eats delivery [person] had called the company to let them know where it was standing and within a matter of minutes the train approached and is captured on the video."
In the footage, Mr Dapelo can be heard exclaiming "Oh, it's gonna crash it" as the locomotive bears down on the helpless robot.
The video quickly gained widespread attention online, with viewers watching the inevitable collision unfold.
The Uber Eats delivery robot was hit by the train while it was travelling at full speed
|GUILLERMO DAPELO
The Uber Eats robots usually use AI and motion sensors to keep track of their location
|GUILLERMO DAPELO
The Uber Eats machines rely on artificial intelligence, cameras and sensors to navigate around obstacles on pavements.
Though largely autonomous, human operators can assume control for more challenging manoeuvres such as crossing roads or railway lines.
Uber Eats initially trialled its robotic delivery programme in a limited area of Santa Monica, California, before expanding operations to include Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.
The venture proved sufficiently successful that the company subsequently rolled out the service to additional urban centres across the United States.
Approximately 2,000 Uber Eats robots are in operation in America
|GETTY
The delivery robots are roughly the size of a suitcase and trundle along at a gentle five miles per hour.
Each robot can transport up to 55 pounds of food or beverages.
In total Uber has approximately 2,000 delivery robots in operation in the US and plans to increase capacity in 2026.
Last month the fast food company also started the rollout of the technology in the UK with 10-15 robots trialled in Leeds.
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