File under 'high-tech urban dystopia.”

After public backlash, an "autonomous security robot" deployed to ward off homeless people has been retired.
"The San Francisco SPCA, an animal advocacy and pet adoption group, put a security robot to work outside its facilities in the gentrifying Mission neighborhood … to deter homeless people from setting up camps along the sidewalks," reports Business Insider.
The robot, K9—which is plastered in pictures of cute animals—is part of a fleet created by Mountain View startup Knightscope. They're used by companies including Uber and Microsoft as a cheaper, "superhuman" replacement for human security guards.
"The company's robots don't fight humans," Business Insider assures readers. "They use equipment like lasers, cameras, a thermal sensor, and GPS to detect criminal activity and alert the authorities."
That wasn't enough to placate the many people who expressed outrage and disappointment on Twitter before the bot was retired; some expressed particular frustration that the anti-homeless campaign was launched by an animal shelter.
FULL STORY: Robots are being used to deter homeless people from setting up camp in San Francisco

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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