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Adam Beck Appointed Head of Urban Planning at URF
The Urban Robotics Foundation (URF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Beck as its new Head of Urban Planning.
Sep 3, 20252 min read


Could Brisbane 2032 Be the World's First Robotaxi Games?
What if, by 2032, Brisbane becomes home to something unprecedented: the world's first major international sporting event significantly supported by autonomous robotaxis?
Sep 3, 20255 min read


Aarhus Municipality in Denmark joins Urban Robotics Foundation
Author: Lee St James Date Published: August 26, 2025 The Urban Robotics Foundation is delighted to welcome the innovative Aarhus...
Aug 26, 20253 min read


The hour of service robots at the airport
Please enjoy this post from our European membership liaison, Francisco Javier Martin Romo about his experience with PMRs in airports.
Aug 11, 20255 min read


Moving beyond the hype: A pragmatic approach to urban robotics
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.
Jul 26, 20257 min read


Cities at Risk: Preparing for robots has to start now
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?
Jul 18, 20255 min read


The Myopic Robot Problem
Mobile robots moving among pedestrians—such as sidewalk delivery robots—often exhibit jerky, unpredictable movement patterns that make them appear shortsighted - or myopic. Read on for more on this topic...
Jul 5, 20253 min read


Toronto’s first automated vehicle pilot: Robot safety on the roadway
Is the Magna last-mile delivery robot delivering food more like a Starship robot delivering food or more like a Waymo robotaxi delivering a human? Here's what makes roadway delivery robots different from sidewalk delivery robots, and why the safety challenges matter for every city considering this technology.
Jun 6, 20257 min read


Pick-up and Drop-off at the Curb
Navigating the journey from today's urban congestion and parking challenges to a hybrid future with AVs May 28, 2025 Most cities see that...
May 29, 20258 min read


Will current municipal PUDO management survive the robotaxi?
Urban curbside space has emerged as one of the most contested resources in modern cities. Today's curbs, primarily managed for parking, loading zones, and transit stops, are the focal point of a complex ecosystem of competing demands. The Pickup/Dropoff (PUDO) challenge—the need to efficiently coordinate vehicles temporarily stopping to load or unload passengers and goods—has evolved from a simple traffic activity into a critical urban management problem ...
May 4, 20256 min read


Executive Update: Preparing your community for robots in public spaces
Date Published: April 20, 2025 On April 15, 2025, the Urban Robotics Foundation hosted our 2025 Executive Update webinar. Our Managing...
Apr 20, 20254 min read


Revolutionizing Healthcare Delivery: The Potential of Public-area Mobile Robots
PMRs represent an emerging technological development with potential to transform how we deliver healthcare services.
Mar 30, 20253 min read


Regulatory Challenges for Public-area Mobile Robots
Let's examine some of the key regulatory challenges facing new mobility technologies in urban environments.
Mar 2, 20259 min read


The Rise of Automated Vehicle PUDO: A Critical Urban Challenge
As cities move toward automated vehicle fleets, managing curb access for passenger and cargo pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) operations ...
Feb 25, 20253 min read


The Critical Need for Public-Area Mobile Robot Regulations
As PMRs increasingly appear, municipal leaders face a pressing challenge: how to effectively regulate these new technologies...
Feb 16, 20255 min read
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