Company: SERV
Filing Date: 2025-03-06
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001832483-25-000010
Chunk: 75

Company: Serve Robotics Inc. /DE/
Filing Date: 2025-03-06
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 75
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 financial performance and results of operations.

The evolving regulations around personal delivery devices ("PDDs") could materially impact our business and growth prospects in new markets.

Sidewalk robots, as opposed to autonomous vehicles operating on public streets, are not by default prohibited from operations in most jurisdictions. But there is no guarantee that the current permissive environment will not change in the future, especially as more sidewalk robots get deployed. While we currently have the requisite permits and support from local municipalities in areas we operate, any change in regulations or permit requirements could adversely impact our business. Therefore, we proactively engage with lawmakers, academics, standards-setting organizations, urban planning nonprofits, disability rights advocates, senior citizen organizations, and regional bicycle coalitions to anticipate and mitigate potential regulatory challenges.

Over a dozen states across the United States have enacted legislation regulating PDDs, using a definition that includes sidewalk robots such as ours. While these regulations have been largely industry-friendly and intended to streamline the rollout of PDDs in those jurisdictions, they are not yet uniform and may present some challenges as we seek to deploy in new markets. For example, the City of Chicago, Washington State and the District of Columbia have unladen weight restrictions between 90 and 135 lbs, and the City of Santa Monica and New York State both prohibit the operation of autonomous devices on sidewalks. These ordinances and statutes require amendments in order for us to expand into those jurisdictions.

Furthermore, the cellular network and radio systems contained in our robots are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”), which allocates cellular and wireless bandwidth to ensure minimal conflict between operators. And the battery packs within our robots use custom lithium-ion cells. The transportation and effective storage of lithium-ion batteries is tightly regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and other regulatory bodies. Any failure to comply with the Department of Transportation’s storage and transport requirements or the FCC’s regulations on wireless 

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communications could result in fines, loss of permits and licenses or other regulatory consequences, which could limit our ability to manufacture and deliver our robotic systems and negatively affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Defects, glitches, or malfunctions in our products or the software that operates them, failure of our products to perform as expected, connectivity issues or operator errors may result in product recalls, lower than expected return on investment for customers and cause significant safety concerns, each of which could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and our reputation.

The design, manufacture, and marketing of our