Robots Make Self-Repairing Cities Possible

Robots Make Self-Repairing Cities Possible Robots Make Self-Repairing Cities Possible Robots Make Self-Repairing Cities PossibleHow many times have you thought, When are they going to fix that pothole? Or, When are they finally going to get to that streetlamp? The Self-Repairing Cities Project, an initiative involving multiple UK universities, is out to make these questions a thing of the past as they seek to make every city in the UK self-repairing, with the help of robots, by 2050.Phil Purnell, director of the project, says to think of the project in terms of robots taking care of the city rather than taking over. You need to remember it isnt just the time were trying to save. There can be dangerous work involved, says Purnell, a professor of civil engineering at Leeds University. Better a robot gets harmed than a human.One key component of the project is having flying drones look for defects from the air. For the drones part in fixing potholes, for example, they would either fly o r go along the road and would detect defects. And then the robot equipped with a 3D printer would inject material to fill in the road, Purnell says. Its about keeping the small problems from getting big.Engineers konzeption surveillance drones (A) and repair drones with 3D printers that patch road defects before they become potholes (B). Image The Self-Repairing Cities ProjectFor You How Industry 4.0 Impacts Engineering DesignThe project is comprehensive and envisions many different types of robots working on the many different needs of a city marine robots for riverbank and sewer inspections, robots with 3D printers to fill potholes, and more.Another focus of the project is making sure all robotics goals take into account the possible economic and social effects.The thought is that new technology increases productivity, ultimately leading to capital and value, which helps for profits and jobs, he says. But those arent words that ease the mind of someone who is laid off. We have a s hortage of skilled infrastructure people and we have to have it come across that this isnt a recipe for people losing their jobs. Instead of being in these dangerous jobs, these skilled people can instead do more complex and more creative infrastructure jobs that we need.With its final goal so many years in the future, it will likely depend on multiple generations to see it over the schliff line.Its a long haul but we think it can happen partly because of the enthusiasm weve seen, Purnell says. So many people are on board with this, seeing it as a natural extension of the technology of today. Think how much is automated and soon will be. Self-driving cars are going to become prevalent, why shouldnt this?The team, along with several consortiums, persuaded the UK government to make a major investment. Present overall funding at around 130 million pounds. A short-term goal is for the project, which started in 2016, to have the robots working well and performing in-field demonstrations in 2021.We make it clear this is not developed in secret to be inflicted on people we want the peoples view of robots roaming around this ecosystem to be positive, he says. This is in a spirit which isnt about generating intellectual property but about openness and getting people to think what it would mean to have autonomous systems in their infrastructure.Eric Butterman is an independent writer.Read More3D Printing a Future of New Metal ActuatorsAn Engineering Education Should Never EndSafety and Efficiency, Brick by Brick For Further DiscussionThink how much is automated and soon will be. Self-driving cars are going to become prevalent, why shouldnt this? Phil Purnell, Director, The Self-Repairing Cities Project