A common approach to solving a problem is to identify all the reasons it cannot be done and then use that list to develop a project plan for its accomplishment. Scaling public-area mobile robots (PMRs) in cities faces several barriers, which we explore below. These all need to be addressed if PMR technology is to be deployed at scale.
Regulatory Challenges
Local laws and regulations regarding the use of PMRs among people uninvolved with the tasks the robots may perform often lag behind technological advancements. Cities will need to determine where robots can operate, how they will interact with pedestrians and vehicles, and what safety standards, certifications, and licensing will be required.
For example, Detroit, Michigan, has established a transportation innovation zone that allows various technologies, including PMRs, to be piloted in a constrained area. One of these projects, using a PMR from Ottonomy, is led by accelerator Orange Sparkle Ball. In September 2024, Detroit is hosting a 'month of design', including live demos of the robots in action. The project is currently piloting food waste pickup.
In Leeds, UK, several tightly-defined areas permit grocery delivery operations on a commercial basis, using PMRs from Starship Technologies. The pilot project is serving approximately 32,000 homes as of mid-2023. See our February 2024 Webinar focused on 'Social Acceptance' for this Leeds deployment.
Safety Concerns
Ensuring the safety of both robots and the public is always paramount. The absence of a visible human operator can initially cause confusion and alarm. Concerns about accidents, malfunctions, or unexpected robot behaviors have led to hesitation from both regulators and the public.
While mishaps have occurred, safety risks have been minimized, and PMR operators are extremely cautious. However, from a regulatory standpoint, mere caution is insufficient. Therefore, safety standards are being developed to help regulators identify risks and define guidelines for certification and licensing, such as included in the ISO 4448 series.
Infrastructure Limitations
Existing urban infrastructure is not typically designed to accommodate PMRs. Challenges include navigating uneven sidewalks, varying curb heights, bicycle lanes, complex pedestrian pathways with numerous obstacles, and heavy foot traffic. Upgrading infrastructure to support PMR operations at scale can be costly and time-consuming.
An immediate solution is to restrict PMRs to areas and pathways with sufficient space and manageable pedestrian traffic, which has typically meant campuses and inner suburbs for delivery and security robots. Many maintenance PMRs operate inside large buildings, such as airport concourses, and can be constrained to times of low pedestrian activity. Gradual improvements in technology, increased public comfort with PMRs, and ongoing infrastructure enhancements will all contribute to successful implementation.
Public Acceptance
Public perception and acceptance of PMRs vary significantly. Acceptance for delivery PMRs tends to be higher on college campuses but lower in dense urban areas. There is a notable concern among individuals with mobility challenges, particularly those who are blind or use wheelchairs. Conversely, many PMRs can positively impact the disability community by improving safety and offering delivery services, but the focus on these benefits needs more emphasis. Education and awareness campaigns may help, but they will be insufficient on their own.
To fully address public acceptance, infrastructure upgrades must meet existing accessibility guidelines and exceed them in some cases. This includes defining constraints for PMR operating areas and times while adhering to behavioral standards that need to be included in municipal licensing agreements. Many cities may require certification for PMR behaviors on public pathways.
Technical Limitations
Current robotic technologies face challenges related to navigation, obstacle detection, communication, and human interaction. We are still in the early stages of the PMR era—I call it the “pre-Model-T” phase. Many tasks currently handled by wheeled robots will transition to ambulatory robots (humanoids) in the coming decade or two. Achieving this progress will require time and investment, thus necessitating the continued evolution of regulations.
This underscores why standards, which generally precede regulations in order to inform them, are so painstaking to establish.
Integration with Existing Systems
No PMR fleet can function without integrating into existing traffic systems, public spaces, workflows, and job descriptions. Fleet expansion requires collaboration with urban planners, infrastructure changes, compliance with existing regulations, and sometimes even integration with public transport systems. All of these factors will demand comprehensive planning and cooperation among various stakeholders.
Cost of Deployment
The initial costs of developing and deploying PMR fleets will be high. This includes not only the purchase of robotic technology but also ongoing operational expenses. A common misconception is the extent of human labor behind the scenes. Currently, all PMRs require remote oversight; some even need teleoperation. As robotic services are marketed, the hidden labor component for PMR operation is often obscured to mollify investors. While PMR technology will eventually reduce this labor demand (as a couple of leading PMRs developers already have), a significant reduction will only slowly be realized.
Data Privacy and Security
PMRs must gather and process data, including visual information, to perform their assigned tasks. This inevitably raises privacy and security concerns. While it is relatively straightforward to ensure that data is used solely for task purposes and to make it secure, providing reassurance to the general public is challenging, especially considering the imperfect history of cyber behavior. Ensuring that these systems respect individuals’ rights while maintaining necessary functionality is crucial and will likely remain a deployment hurdle for the foreseeable future. Governments must not only express concern but also manage systems of compliance effectively.
Addressing these eight barriers requires collaboration among government agencies, technology companies, urban planners, and the community to create an environment conducive to the successful deployment of public-area mobile robots in our cities.
The Urban Robotics Foundation (URF) is currently drafting the multi-part ISO 4448 standard series for public-area mobile robots (publication 2024-26), providing guide books for regulatory, project, and teleoperation readiness to assist cities and their providers to adopt and manage PMR technology. Our work, including our advisory work, helps address these barriers. All of them are addressable.
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