Urban robotic experimentation: San Francisco, Tokyo and Dubai

Abstract

Advances in robotics, artificial intelligence and automation have the potential to transform cities and urban social life. However, robotic restructuring of the city is complicated and contested. Technology is still evolving, robotic infrastructure is expensive and there are technical, trust and safety challenges in bringing robots into dynamic urban environments alongside humans. This article examines the nascent field of ‘urban robotics’ in three emblematic yet diverse national-urban contexts that are leading centres for urban robotic experimentation. Focusing on the experimental application of autonomous social robots, the article explores: (i) the rationale for urban robotic experiments and the interests involved, and (ii) the challenges and outcomes of creating meaningful urban spaces for robotic experimentation. The article makes a distinctive contribution to urban research by illuminating a potentially far-reaching but under-researched area of urban policy. It provides a conceptual framework for mapping and understanding the highly contingent, spatially uneven and socially selective processes of robotic urban experimentation.

Robots as intelligent assistants to face COVID-19 pandemic

“…In [ 10 ], another aspect of robotics to fight the pandemic is addressed. The authors consider the work on the use of robotics in real-life applications to combat pre-COVID urban pandemic cases [ 17 , 18 ]. They question the possibility that all the new applications due to the onset of COVID are only temporary expedients to make use of what is known so far or can be emerging models of what they call biosocial management.…”

Containing COVID-19 in China: AI and the robotic restructuring of future cities

“…However, what the Chinese experience points to is the potential for an extended reach of AI and automation into everyday lives facilitated by autonomous systems, not least in relation to overlapping forms of biosecurity control and spatial management. As we have argued elsewhere, the application of automated urban management is moving much more quickly than public and political debate (While et al, 2020). There are undoubtedly economic, social, and health benefits of urban robotics, but these beneficial uses should not override the need for meaningful public scrutiny of their application in different urban contexts.…”

“…Prior to COVID-19, robotic applications in the public realm were limited by concerns for public safety, albeit with limited discussion of surveillance and social control (While et al, 2020). Those concerns remain but there is perhaps now a more permissive approach to urban robotic experiments, reflecting new calculations of human risk and extending the scope and scale of experimental applications.…”

“…There were major advances in real-world applications of urban robotics around the world prior to the coronavirus outbreak, evidenced by the rapid development of drones, driverless vehicles, and service robots (Macrorie et al, 2019; While et al, 2020). Governments and private firms were the primary driving force, with the former more interested in automated policing and traffic management and the later focused on transforming freight and human mobility.…”

“…If the latter, what does it mean for the extension of surveillance and social control in urban environments that are now seen as hostile to humans? In addressing these issues, we draw on emerging theory which points to growing concerns and public scrutiny over new forms of automated social control (While et al, 2020).…”