While we’re on the topic of efficiency in government (see previous post) here’s a shout-out to Arlington County for deploying a fleet of robots to report sidewalk defects.

The bots, owned by Kiwibot, a Berkeley, Calif.-based renter of robots used in logistics and maintenance, use laser scanners, mobile mapping, AI and machine learning to look for cracks, weeds, and gaps in sidewalks. The bots are surveying about 45 miles of linear sidewalk in a pilot project. The county will decide whether to use the technology in its next countywide sidewalk assessment.

Ultimately, reports ARL Now, “the goal is to streamline “the regular human assessment process.”

Sidewalk inspectors (is there such an occupation?) may not be thrilled by this development but pedestrians will be forever grateful. — JAB