Is your city ready
for robots?
Whether you’re an urban planner, accessibility advocate or technology company with a stake in how robots integrate into our cities, join the Urban Robotics Foundation. We can help.
Be ready with the right questions
The Urban Robotics Foundation (URF) helps you anticipate how public mobile robots (PMRs) impact a city’s systems and its people. Join URF to learn the pros/cons and have a say in the international standards (ISO) intended to guide safe PMR integration into cities that want them.
Public-area mobile robots are already in many cities
PMRs do far more than deliver food and small packages for e-commerce. They can be used by municipalities for picking up litter, security patrol, spreading salt on sidewalks, parking citations and more.
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As small electric devices that can replace much larger vehicles, PMRs reduce pollution and greenhouse gases as well as traffic volume. They share space with pedestrians (e.g. sidewalks and malls) and with bicycles and other road vehicles (e.g., at intersections). Safety and accessibility are critical concerns.
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Technology has both risks and advantages. Some cities, like Toronto, have declined PMRs. The Urban Robotics Foundation is impartial: we inform our members of the pros/cons and highlight potential solutions.
PMRs share sidewalks and roads with people who are walking, riding bikes, taking transit, driving cars and using wheelchairs and scooters.
Focused on universal accessibility, we are developing the international standard ISO 4448 series for the deployment and operation of public-area mobile robots (PMRs) within pedestrian spaces. Accessibility must come first in order for PMRs to be accepted.
Our deep knowledge of ISO 4448 gives us a strategic view of how PMRs impact each stakeholder’s interests.
Anticipating the impact of PMRs helps you plan
If your organization has a stake in the prospect of PMRs in your city, URF can help focus your conversations about PMRs from the start. Explore the right questions early. Access the right resources. Make more informed decisions.
URF membership is open to…
URF is the initiator and global project leader of the ISO International Standards series ISO 4448. The ISO 4448 series is evolving and is targeted for completion in 2025.
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We offer our members the opportunity to discuss and contribute to the standards in collaboration with other stakeholders.
Why is ISO 4448 so important?
The ISO 4448 standard addresses the multiple overlapping city systems and stakeholders impacted by the deployment of PMRs. We call it the PMR landscape – where, when and how various fleets of PMRs move through the city and the resulting issues for the “who” – the people who live and work there. Our job with ISO 4448 is to draft standards that will help cities govern PMRs to ensure safety and accessibility.
MUNICIPALITIES & PUBLIC FACILITIES
Will your city accept, reject or restrict PMRs?
Is your pedestrian infrastructure sufficiently accessible? Safe?
How will you control traffic volumes on sidewalks? Bike lanes?
Should you use PMRs for city maintenance? Neighbourhood security?
When should you consider monetization?
As a member of the Urban Robotics Foundation, you will be better prepared to anticipate, investigate and plan for issues such as these.
“Robots on City Streets – The Big Questions”
We offer an engaging introductory workshop for municipal governments and other stakeholders, delivered virtually or in-person. Please contact us to discuss available dates and fees.
ACCESSIBILITY ADVOCATES
Will the needs of your constituents be prioritized?
What do we do about infrastructure that is not yet accessibility-compliant?
Pedestrians, cyclists, children, pets — can PMRs operate safely among all these?
Will PMRs stay out of our way or will we have to stay out of their way?
What standards will help to accommodate the needs of seniors, wheelchairs users,
and blind and deaf persons?
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As a member of the Urban Robotics Foundation, you will be better prepared to anticipate and challenge your city on issues such as these, should your city consider permitting PMRs.
URBAN & TRAFFIC PLANNERS
Will cities proactively plan for robots?
Will active transport infrastructure need to make room for PMRs?
How will safety impact intersection control systems?
What about those areas of non ADA-compliant pedestrian infrastructure?
Will PMRs mean a new interpretation for complete streets?
How will changes in goods movement impact planning over the next decade?
As a member of the Urban Robotics Foundation, you will be better prepared to anticipate and respond to issues such as these.
TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES & FLEET OPERATORS
Will your robots & technology be compliant
with the new standards?
As a member of the Urban Robotics Foundation, you will be better prepared to anticipate and respond to issues such as these.
Will your product development roadmap anticipate the regulatory future for robot deployment?
Can your robots accommodate the needs and concerns of the accessibility community?
Will your robots be able to consistently communicate their intentions to pedestrians?