Journal article
A global horizon scan of the future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on urban ecosystems
MA Goddard, ZG Davies, S Guenat, MJ Ferguson, JC Fisher, A Akanni, T Ahjokoski, PML Anderson, F Angeoletto, C Antoniou, AJ Bates, A Barkwith, A Berland, CJ Bouch, CC Rega-Brodsky, LB Byrne, D Cameron, R Canavan, T Chapman, S Connop Show all
Nature Ecology and Evolution | NATURE PORTFOLIO | Published : 2021
Abstract
Technology is transforming societies worldwide. A major innovation is the emergence of robotics and autonomous systems (RAS), which have the potential to revolutionize cities for both people and nature. Nonetheless, the opportunities and challenges associated with RAS for urban ecosystems have yet to be considered systematically. Here, we report the findings of an online horizon scan involving 170 expert participants from 35 countries. We conclude that RAS are likely to transform land use, transport systems and human–nature interactions. The prioritized opportunities were primarily centred on the deployment of RAS for the monitoring and management of biodiversity and ecosystems. Fewer challe..
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Awarded by Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
Funding Acknowledgements
We are grateful to all of the participants who took part in this study, and to J. Bentley for preparing the figures. This work was funded by the UK government's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (grant EP/N010523/1: 'Balancing the Impact of City Infrastructure Engineering on Natural Systems using Robots'). Z.G.D. was funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (consolidator grant no. 726104).