Journal Article

A global horizon scan of the future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on urban ecosystems

Hochuli, Dieter F., Crossland, Steve, Connop, Stuart, Perini, Katia, Perry, Gad, Byrne, Loren B., Dawson, David A., Williams, Nicholas S. G., Hedblom, Marcus, Ahjokoski, Teija, Snep, Robbert P. H., Angeoletto, Fabio, Manning, Peter, Fisher, Jessica C., Smith, Tracy, Gulsrud, Natalie Marie, Downs, Colleen T., Sautter, Sebastian, Van de Voorde, Tim, Hahs, Amy K., Bouch, Christopher J., Massini, Peter, Venn, Stephen J., Davies, Zoe G., Chapman, Tim, Goddard, Mark A., Bates, Adam J., Knowland, Tom, Roll, Uri, Akanni, Adeniran, MacGregor-Fors, Ian, Guneralp, Burak, Whitling, Mark, de Saille, Stevienna, Berland, Adam, Radji, Raoufou A., Sadler, Jon P., Escobedo, Francisco J., Yeshitela, Kumelachew, Barkwith, Andrew, Gobster, Paul, Pérez-Urrestarazu, Luis, Shwartz, Assaf, McLean, Stacey, Mkwambisi, David D., Ellis, Erle C., Guenat, Solène, Dobbs, Cynnamon, Ioja, Ioan-Cristian, Cameron, David, Scott, Catherine E., Stanley, Margaret C., Canavan, Rory, Plummer, Kate E., Hale, James D., Hassall, Christopher, Soulsbury, Carl D., Lerman, Susannah B., Kendal, Dave, Ossola, Alessandro, Anderson, Pippin M. L., Luque, Gab

2021

Overview

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 challenges were prioritized. Those that were emphasized concerns surrounding waste from unrecovered RAS, and the quality and interpretation of RAS-collected data. Although the future impacts of RAS for urban ecosystems are difficult to predict, examining potentially important developments early is essential if we are to avoid detrimental consequences but fully realize the benefits. The future challenges and potential opportunities of robotics and autonomous systems in urban ecosystems, and how they may impact biodiversity, are explored and prioritized via a global horizon scan of 170 experts.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: 704/158/858 / 704/844/685 / Biodiversity / Biological and Physical Anthropology / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Cities / Ecology / Ecosystem / Ecosystem management / Ecosystems / Ekologi / Evolutionary Biology / Forecasting / Horizon / Humans / Land use / Life Sciences / Paleontology / Robotics / Strategic management / Transportation systems / Zoology