Thanks to Robots and Drones, Leeds to Become World’s First “Self-Repairing City”

After Amazon’s Drone service, which is still in its testing phase, the scientists at the University Of Leeds, have been awarded a prize of £4.2 million. They’ll not be using it in the development of their robo-army, not for selling their inventions, or to be deployed in wars like the “Skynet” network created by the Russians, but as workers responsible for repairing potholes and the network of different utility pipes spread all around the city.

The drone project is under the financial roof of Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and is supervised by Professor Phil Purnell, School of Civil Engineering.

He said:

The whole idea behind the development of these autonomous robots, is to create something intelligent enough, that can identity problems, carry out repairing tasks on its own, and doesn’t engender uncomfortable situations for the daily commuters.

As reported by Yorkshire Evening Post,

The researchers will initially develop new robot designs and technologies in three areas:

“Perch and Repair” – research to develop drones that can perch, like birds, on structures at height and perform repair tasks, such as repairing street lights.

“Perceive and Patch” – research to develop drones able to autonomously inspect, diagnose, repair and prevent potholes in roads;

“Fire and forget” – research to develop robots which will operate indefinitely within live utility pipes performing inspection, repair, metering and reporting tasks.

Being a part of Engineering and Physical Research Council’s £21 million Engineering Grand Challenges Research project, its the first of its kind initiative, that has taken place in any city around the world, and has gathered the support of federal organisations in the city.

Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, expressed his positive thoughts about the robot project:

The drones will begin their action pursuit, only after they’ve been subjected to rigorous testing and become competent enough to appease their creators, only then they’ll be able to play their part in modernizing Leeds as world’s first self-repairing city.

Also Read: Self-driving Cars Must be Programmed to Kill, Study Says

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