Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Nat Ecol Evol. 2021 Feb;5(2):219-230. doi: 10.1038/s41559-020-01358-z. Epub 2021 Jan 4.
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.
技术正在改变全球社会。一项重大创新是机器人和自主系统（RAS）的出现，它们有可能彻底改变城市，造福人类和自然。尽管如此，RAS 对城市生态系统带来的机遇和挑战仍有待系统地考虑。在这里，我们报告了一项涉及来自 35 个国家的 170 名专家参与者的在线远景扫描的结果。我们的结论是，RAS 很可能会改变土地利用、交通系统和人与自然的相互作用。优先考虑的机会主要集中在部署 RAS 以监测和管理生物多样性和生态系统上。优先级较低的挑战则强调了与无法回收的 RAS 产生的废物以及 RAS 收集的数据的质量和解释有关的问题。尽管 RAS 对城市生态系统的未来影响难以预测，但尽早研究潜在的重要发展是至关重要的，如果我们要避免不利后果，就必须充分利用其带来的好处。
