Robots are already entering our cities, on sidewalks, in the skies, and behind the wheels of autonomous vehicles. Without intention and care, these systems risk reinforcing the worst tendencies of urban life: surveillance, exclusion, and disconnection. At City Science, we propose design principles and develop prototype robots that aim to ensure urban robots become good citizens. Rather than optimizing solely for economic efficiency or individual convenience, we envision robotic systems that contribute to cities that care for people. Our Urban Robotics research explores how lightweight, autonomous designs can elevate climate, economic, and social performance.
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Last-Meter Delivery Systems
Platform for Autonomous Navigation and Delivery Assistance (PANDA)
Bio-Inspired Method
Our bio-inspired approach aims to enhance robot behavior to be more expressive, engaging, and socially appropriate—key traits for a robot that aspires to be a good citizen and seamlessly blend into urban life. This method serves two main goals:
- Developing expressive human-robot interaction (HRI) through bio-inspired behaviors
- Leveraging reinforcement learning (RL) to achieve robust, real-world robot movement that uses animated references
Currently, we use digital animations based on 3D animal models as behavioral references. These naturalistic movements form the foundation for how our robots express intent and navigate shared spaces. We then apply reinforcement learning to adapt and stabilize these behaviors on physical robots, ensuring they are both resilient and responsive in dynamic, real-world environments.