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

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.

Metadata

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	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 Cameron, D 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 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3510-0728 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 Pérez Luque, G 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 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0187-969X Schwartz, 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 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8120-3309
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information:	© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited 2021. This is an author produced version of an article published in Nature Ecology and Evolution. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.
Dates:	Accepted: 22 October 2020 Published (online): 4 January 2021 Published: February 2021
Institution:	The University of Leeds
Academic Units:	The University of Leeds > Faculty of Biological Sciences (Leeds) > School of Biology (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Inst for Climate & Atmos Science (ICAS) (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) (Leeds)
Funding Information:	Funder Grant number EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) EP/N010523/1
Date Deposited:	10 Nov 2020 15:19
Last Modified:	04 Jul 2021 00:38
Status:	Published
Publisher:	Nature Research
Identification Number:	10.1038/s41559-020-01358-z
Related URLs:	Dataset
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID):	oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:167770

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

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

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