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

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

doi:10.1038/s41559-020-01358-z

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

Mark A. Goddard, Zoe G. Davies, Solène Guenat, Mark J. Ferguson, Jessica C. Fisher, Adeniran Akanni, Teija Ahjokoski, Pippin M.L. Anderson, Fabio Angeoletto, Constantinos Antoniou, Adam J. Bates, Andrew Barkwith, Adam Berland, Christopher J. Bouch, Christine C. Rega-Brodsky, Loren B. Byrne, Rory Canavan, Tim Chapman, Stuart Connop, Steve CrosslandMarie C. Dade, David A. Dawson, Cynnamon Dobbs, Colleen T. Downs, Erle C. Ellis, Francisco J. Escobedo, Paul Gobster, Natalie Marie Gulsrud, Burak Guneralp, Amy K. Hahs, James D. Hale, Christopher Hassall, Marcus Hedblom, Dieter F. Hochuli, Tommi Inkinen, Ioan Cristian Ioja, Dave Kendal, Tom Knowland, Ingo Kowarik, Simon J. Langdale, Susannah B. Lerman, Ian MacGregor-Fors, Peter Manning, Peter Massini, Stacey McLean, David D. Mkwambisi, Alessandro Ossola, Gabriel Pérez Luque, Luis Pérez-Urrestarazu, Katia Perini, Gad Perry, Tristan J. Pett, Kate E. Plummer, Raoufou A. Radji, Uri Roll, Simon G. Potts, Heather Rumble, Jon P. Sadler, Stevienna de Saille, Sebastian Sautter, Catherine E. Scott, Assaf Shwartz, Tracy Smith, Robbert P.H. Snep, Carl D. Soulsbury, Margaret C. Stanley, Tim Van de Voorde, Stephen J. Venn, Philip H. Warren, Carla Leanne Washbourne, Mark Whitling, Nicholas S.G. Williams, Jun Yang, Kumelachew Yeshitela, Ken P. Yocom, Martin Dallimer^*, Cameron Dave

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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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 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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	219-230
Number of pages	12
Journal	Nature Ecology and Evolution
Volume	5
Issue number	2
Early online date	4 Jan 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01358-z
Publication status	Published - Feb 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
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).

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Ecology

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Cite this

Goddard, M. A., Davies, Z. G., Guenat, S., Ferguson, M. J., Fisher, J. C., Akanni, A., Ahjokoski, T., Anderson, P. M. L., Angeoletto, F., Antoniou, C., Bates, A. J., Barkwith, A., Berland, A., Bouch, C. J., Rega-Brodsky, C. C., Byrne, L. B., Canavan, R., Chapman, T., Connop, S., ... Dave, C. (2021). A global horizon scan of the future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on urban ecosystems. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 5(2), 219-230. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01358-z

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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 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.",

author = "Goddard, {Mark A.} and Davies, {Zoe G.} and Sol{\`e}ne Guenat and Ferguson, {Mark J.} and Fisher, {Jessica C.} and Adeniran Akanni and Teija Ahjokoski and Anderson, {Pippin M.L.} and Fabio Angeoletto and Constantinos Antoniou and Bates, {Adam J.} and Andrew Barkwith and Adam Berland and Bouch, {Christopher J.} and Rega-Brodsky, {Christine C.} and Byrne, {Loren B.} and Rory Canavan and Tim Chapman and Stuart Connop and Steve Crossland and Dade, {Marie C.} and Dawson, {David A.} and Cynnamon Dobbs and Downs, {Colleen T.} and Ellis, {Erle C.} and Escobedo, {Francisco J.} and Paul Gobster and Gulsrud, {Natalie Marie} and Burak Guneralp and Hahs, {Amy K.} and Hale, {James D.} and Christopher Hassall and Marcus Hedblom and Hochuli, {Dieter F.} and Tommi Inkinen and Ioja, {Ioan Cristian} and Dave Kendal and Tom Knowland and Ingo Kowarik and Langdale, {Simon J.} and Lerman, {Susannah B.} and Ian MacGregor-Fors and Peter Manning and Peter Massini and Stacey McLean and Mkwambisi, {David D.} and Alessandro Ossola and Luque, {Gabriel P{\'e}rez} and Luis P{\'e}rez-Urrestarazu and Katia Perini and Gad Perry and Pett, {Tristan J.} and Plummer, {Kate E.} and Radji, {Raoufou A.} and Uri Roll and Potts, {Simon G.} and Heather Rumble and Sadler, {Jon P.} and {de Saille}, Stevienna and Sebastian Sautter and Scott, {Catherine E.} and Assaf Shwartz and Tracy Smith and Snep, {Robbert P.H.} and Soulsbury, {Carl D.} and Stanley, {Margaret C.} and {Van de Voorde}, Tim and Venn, {Stephen J.} and Warren, {Philip H.} and Washbourne, {Carla Leanne} and Mark Whitling and Williams, {Nicholas S.G.} and Jun Yang and Kumelachew Yeshitela and Yocom, {Ken P.} and Martin Dallimer and Cameron Dave",

note = "Funding Information: 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{\textquoteright}s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (grant EP/N010523/1: {\textquoteleft}Balancing the Impact of City Infrastructure Engineering on Natural Systems using Robots{\textquoteright}). Z.G.D. was funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union{\textquoteright}s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (consolidator grant no. 726104).",

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Goddard, MA, Davies, ZG, Guenat, S, Ferguson, MJ, Fisher, JC, Akanni, A, Ahjokoski, T, Anderson, PML, Angeoletto, F, Antoniou, C, Bates, AJ, Barkwith, A, Berland, A, Bouch, CJ, Rega-Brodsky, CC, Byrne, LB, Canavan, R, Chapman, T, Connop, S, Crossland, S, Dade, MC, Dawson, DA, Dobbs, C, Downs, CT, Ellis, EC, Escobedo, FJ, Gobster, P, Gulsrud, NM, Guneralp, B, Hahs, AK, Hale, JD, Hassall, C, Hedblom, M, Hochuli, DF, Inkinen, T, Ioja, IC, Kendal, D, Knowland, T, Kowarik, I, Langdale, SJ, Lerman, SB, MacGregor-Fors, I, Manning, P, Massini, P, McLean, S, Mkwambisi, DD, Ossola, A, Luque, GP, Pérez-Urrestarazu, L, Perini, K, Perry, G, Pett, TJ, Plummer, KE, Radji, RA, Roll, U, Potts, SG, Rumble, H, Sadler, JP, de Saille, S, Sautter, S, Scott, CE, Shwartz, A, Smith, T, Snep, RPH, Soulsbury, CD, Stanley, MC, Van de Voorde, T, Venn, SJ, Warren, PH, Washbourne, CL, Whitling, M, Williams, NSG, Yang, J, Yeshitela, K, Yocom, KP, Dallimer, M & Dave, C 2021, 'A global horizon scan of the future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on urban ecosystems', Nature Ecology and Evolution, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 219-230. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01358-z

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T1 - A global horizon scan of the future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on urban ecosystems

AU - Goddard, Mark A.

AU - Davies, Zoe G.

AU - Guenat, Solène

AU - Ferguson, Mark J.

AU - Fisher, Jessica C.

AU - Akanni, Adeniran

AU - Ahjokoski, Teija

AU - Anderson, Pippin M.L.

AU - Angeoletto, Fabio

AU - Antoniou, Constantinos

AU - Bates, Adam J.

AU - Barkwith, Andrew

AU - Berland, Adam

AU - Bouch, Christopher J.

AU - Rega-Brodsky, Christine C.

AU - Byrne, Loren B.

AU - Canavan, Rory

AU - Chapman, Tim

AU - Connop, Stuart

AU - Crossland, Steve

AU - Dade, Marie C.

AU - Dawson, David A.

AU - Dobbs, Cynnamon

AU - Downs, Colleen T.

AU - Ellis, Erle C.

AU - Escobedo, Francisco J.

AU - Gobster, Paul

AU - Gulsrud, Natalie Marie

AU - Guneralp, Burak

AU - Hahs, Amy K.

AU - Hale, James D.

AU - Hassall, Christopher

AU - Hedblom, Marcus

AU - Hochuli, Dieter F.

AU - Inkinen, Tommi

AU - Ioja, Ioan Cristian

AU - Kendal, Dave

AU - Knowland, Tom

AU - Kowarik, Ingo

AU - Langdale, Simon J.

AU - Lerman, Susannah B.

AU - MacGregor-Fors, Ian

AU - Manning, Peter

AU - Massini, Peter

AU - McLean, Stacey

AU - Mkwambisi, David D.

AU - Ossola, Alessandro

AU - Luque, Gabriel Pérez

AU - Pérez-Urrestarazu, Luis

AU - Perini, Katia

AU - Perry, Gad

AU - Pett, Tristan J.

AU - Plummer, Kate E.

AU - Radji, Raoufou A.

AU - Roll, Uri

AU - Potts, Simon G.

AU - Rumble, Heather

AU - Sadler, Jon P.

AU - de Saille, Stevienna

AU - Sautter, Sebastian

AU - Scott, Catherine E.

AU - Shwartz, Assaf

AU - Smith, Tracy

AU - Snep, Robbert P.H.

AU - Soulsbury, Carl D.

AU - Stanley, Margaret C.

AU - Van de Voorde, Tim

AU - Venn, Stephen J.

AU - Warren, Philip H.

AU - Washbourne, Carla Leanne

AU - Whitling, Mark

AU - Williams, Nicholas S.G.

AU - Yang, Jun

AU - Yeshitela, Kumelachew

AU - Yocom, Ken P.

AU - Dallimer, Martin

AU - Dave, Cameron

N1 - Funding Information: 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).

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

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

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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