A futuristic fleet of self-driving delivery robots is under investigation after one device "ran into a toddler in a shopping centre".

The autonomous white machine allegedly hit a two-year-old boy despite having 10 cameras, as well as ultrasound sensors, to avoid obstacles.

The child was described as "stressed and scared" after the collision but escaped without any injuries, according to his mum.

Starship Technologies, which operates the food and grocery delivery robots in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, said it was now investigating the incident.

Writing on neighbourhood website Nextdoor, an anonymous mum said: "So today my two-year-old son was hit and pushed by one of those delivery robots in the Brunel shopping centre in Bletchley.

"The robot never stopped and continued his journey.

"My son didn't get any injury but he was scared and stressed after this.

"I really hope this doesn't happen again."

Starship robots have been operating in Milton Keynes since October 2018, with customers paying a monthly subscription to have take-aways, parcels and groceries delivered.

The Co-op and Starbucks are among the companies that have partnered with Starship.

The machines are designed to travel along paths like pedestrians and are fitted with technology to identify cars, traffic lights and pavements.

Responding to the mum's concerns on Nextdoor, one person said: "I think the sensors get confused. One almost went into my husband a few weeks ago."

But another commented: "I stood in front of one a couple of years back to see what happened. It stopped and spoke and politely asked me to move. I stayed there for a second and it went round me."

Another person agreed: "I come into contact with them on a regular basis and they always recognise me."

A spokesperson for Starship said: "We take an incident like this seriously and we're investigating."