Residents, businesses and technology experts are being invited to help shape how robots could become part of everyday life in Milton Keynes.
Milton Keynes City Council is leading RoboPASS, an innovative project exploring how mobile robotic devices can be responsibly integrated into towns and cities. A framework for testing and operating robots in public spaces is being developed which will help to ensure that emerging technologies benefit residents while maintaining safety and accessibility.
Funded by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade's Regulators' Pioneer Fund, RoboPASS aims to create a blueprint that could be used across the UK as the use of robotics continues to grow.
Milton Keynes is one of the UK's best-known locations for real-world robotics trials, and delivery robots and self-driving vehicles are familiar to many residents.
As part of the project, the City Council is considering how robots could support public services in the future. Potential applications include helping with pavement inspections and repairs, managing weeds, gritting Redways during winter and other maintenance.
The work is also examining broader questions about how robotics should operate in shared public spaces. This includes exploring standards, governance, rights of way, public safety, data, and the role of AI.
To help inform the project, the City Council is hosting a series of public workshops as part of Milton Keynes Tech Week on 13 October at MK Gallery.
The sessions will give residents, businesses, community groups and technology professionals the opportunity to learn more about RoboPASS, discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with robotics, and share their views on how the technology should be managed in the future.
"We're proud to be leading the way in smart city innovation and this project is a vital step in making robotics a safe and practical part of everyday life. It's important that local people help shape these plans, and we encourage everyone with an interest in the future of technology to get involved and share their views."