Despite growing adoption of delivery PMRs, it seems cities aren't making much progress in leveraging the technology for public works, emergency services, or other promising applications that could positively impact urban services.

The successful integration of public-area mobile robots (PMRs) into urban environments depends fundamentally on understanding their relationship with urban planning. While technological capabilities and regulatory frameworks matter, the physical, spatial, and institutional infrastructure of cities ultimately determines PMR operational effectiveness.

In recent years, service robots have quietly migrated from factories and warehouses to the places where life actually happens. We may see robots gliding through hospital corridors, navigating hotel lobbies, patrolling supermarket aisles, and negotiating the bustling atriums of shopping malls.

With much of the guest journey occurring on digital platforms, the real value staff provide comes through exceptional, memorable interactions that exceed expectations. In an industry built on service reputation, these high-touch skills have become essential.

The robotaxi revolution is transforming urban mobility, but without proper coordination driverless vehicles are creating new problems. As more cities deploy robotaxis and automated delivery vehicles, Ontario-based startup Pudocity Inc. has built a team and architecture to deploy a patent-pending implementation of a solution to reduce traffic chaos and improve urban safety.

For underfunded local governments facing mounting pressure to maintain extensive park networks with constrained budgets, autonomous mowing represents not just operational efficiency but strategic transformation. These systems demonstrate that public area mobile robots can safely and effectively operate in shared spaces, establishing both technical capability and community acceptance.

On September 30th, we hosted a workshop titled: "Smart Cities, Smarter Robots: Ensuring Safe and Effective Integration". The workshop featured guest speakers, Adam Beck, Global Head of Urban Planning for URF and Frederik Ross, Business Development Manager, Odense Robotics and ITK Aarhus Kommune.

Robotaxi adoption will be driven by many factors and enabled by multiple circumstances. Each person who switches from car ownership to reliance on robotaxis will have their own reasons.

[September 18, 2025 - Toronto, Canada and Odense, Denmark] - We are pleased to announce that Denmark's national robotics and drone...

The Urban Robotics Foundation (URF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Beck as its new Head of Urban Planning.

What if, by 2032, Brisbane becomes home to something unprecedented: the world's first major international sporting event significantly supported by autonomous robotaxis?

Author: Lee St James Date Published: August 26, 2025 The Urban Robotics Foundation is delighted to welcome the innovative Aarhus...

Please enjoy this post from our European membership liaison, Francisco Javier Martin Romo about his experience with PMRs in airports.

The question isn’t whether public-area mobile robots (PMRs), will play a role in municipal operations and urban mobility systems—they almost certainly will. The question is how your city can approach this technology thoughtfully, avoiding common pitfalls while positioning yourself for meaningful, scalable implementation.

Did your city experience a smooth or a chaotic deployment of escooters and electric bikes? Do you have a plan for how your city can be better prepared for robots in public spaces?