Robots In Public: 2026 Whitepaper
​​
This whitepaper examines a critical inflection point in the evolution of robotics: the transition from controlled environments to shared public spaces. Once confined to factories and labs, robots are now operating on sidewalks, in hospitals, airports, campuses, and urban streets—interacting daily with people who have not opted in and may not understand their capabilities. The report argues that the central challenge is no longer technological feasibility, but governance. Existing regulatory frameworks—designed for products, vehicles, or workplace machines—fail to account for autonomous systems operating among the general public. This creates fragmented oversight, inconsistent rules, and growing risks around safety, privacy, accessibility, and public trust.
Please fill in the form below to download your FREE PDF copy now! NOTE: You will need Adobe Acrobat version 8.0 or later to read this PDF. This report was completed in partnership between ASTM International, MASS Robotics and the Urban Robotics Foundation with contributions from NIST.
​​
We believe the biggest barrier to successful PMR deployment is not the technology itself, but municipal readiness and public acceptance. By publishing the first edition of these documents in advance of the ISO-4448 we want to help maximize the promised benefits of these technologies and help stakeholders anticipate and minimize any unintended consequences during pilot testing and early deployment.
​
These guides will be supplemented by workshops (virtual and in-person) that will support knowledge transfer and provide interactive learning opportunities for stakeholders. Advisory services are also available.
​
Municipal Readiness & Social Acceptance
According to a 2020 report by the OECD, “Globally, urbanisation is spreading. Towns are increasingly growing into cities and suburbs are being absorbed by expanding cities... Around 4,000 new metropolitan areas emerged between 1975 and 2015.”
​
PMR Deployment impacts a number of areas of municipal concern and eventual responsibility. In a smaller municipality, a majority of these concerns might be the purview of a single Public Works Department, whereas in larger cities, these concerns are addressed by many different departments.
​
We invite you to become a sponsor to help us educate the world about the opportunities, challenges and best practices for deploying intelligent transport systems in urban spaces.
​
