Cities Deploy Robots as Firefighters, Tour Guides and Lawnmowers

Some cities and counties have reportedly identified use cases in which it makes sense to have robots do the work.

While there can be concerns about robots’ cost, cybersecurity and safety, these jurisdictions have found that the deployment of robots can make sense where the work is labor-intensive or dangerous, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday (Oct. 31).

The Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department operates a firefighting robot that can deliver 2,500 gallons of water per minute and navigate into hazardous environments with the help of drones that send images to the robot’s remote operator. In one case, the robot was able to extinguish a fire 12 hours quicker than would have been possible with human firefighters, according to the report.

Arapahoe Libraries, a public library system with a location in Englewood, Colo., plans to deploy a robot that will guide visitors to the destination they select when human staff are not available. The library believes one benefit of this deployment is that it will teach visitors about new technology, the report said.

Irvine, Calif., is using five robots to assess public infrastructure like curb ramps, sidewalks, transit stops and paved trails, determining if it complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The city expects that the robots will complete the project in under six months, as opposed to the four years it would take two city staff members, per the report.

Sanford, N.C., operates 10 autonomous lawn-mowing robots that maintain about six acres of grass. The city has found that these tools not only save labor but also eliminate the hazards humans face in operating riding mowers on slopes, improve grass health by cutting more frequently and reducing thatch buildup, and keep the landscape’s appearance consistent, according to the report.

Detroit runs two robots on and near an island park, Belle Isle. One sifts through sand on the beach, removing trash, while the other filters debris from the island’s streams and marina, per the report.

PYMNTS reported in January that smart home robots are no longer a futuristic fantasy.

The technology is also being deployed in warehouses. For example, Amazon found that the use of robots at one of its fulfillment centers helped it cut costs by 25%.