They're not as cute as R2D2, but they have better intentions than a Cylon. Welcome our new robot parking attendants.
Kashmir Hill reports: "Uber drivers who pay a visit to the company’s inspection lot near Mission Bay in San Francisco will be met with a rather strange sight: a five-foot-tall, white, egg-shaped robot wheeling around the lot, on the look-out for trouble."
According to Hill, the robot goes by the name K5 and stands in for a human security guard. "The robot has multiple high-definition cameras for 360-degree vision, a thermal camera, a laser rangefinder, a weather sensor, a license-plate recognition camera, four microphones, and person recognition capabilities," explains Hill.
The robot has no weapons to subdue any trouble found while on patrol, but it can sound an alarm and record the events of any malfeasance. Hill adds commentary on the financial appeal of the robot parking enforcer as well as the implications for at least one kind of employment once reserved for humans.
FULL STORY: Uber hired a robot to patrol its parking lot and it’s way cheaper than a security guard
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Since 2017, 32 bills regulating or permitting "personal delivery devices"—sidewalk robots—have been introduced in 27 states.
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Parking Enforcement Reduced in L.A., Intact in New York City
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The Top Urban Planning Books of 2021
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The Roadway Expansion Paradox
Motorists want expensive roadway expansions provided that somebody else foots the bill, but when required to pay directly through tolls, the need for more capacity often disappears. What should planners do?
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Americans fled cities in waves during the pandemic, right? Not to so fast.
Inequality Grows in Western Zoom Towns
As demand for housing grows, small Western towns are experiencing skyrocketing housing costs and rising displacement.
Equity and Transit Go Hand in Hand for the Pandemic Recovery
Equity illuminates the light at the end of the tunnel for U.S. transit agencies, according to a recent report by the Urban Institute.
Miami Reinstates E-Scooter Program
After abruptly ending its shared e-scooter program last month, Miami is letting the devices return to its streets–with some new rules.
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Perkins&Will
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
