If Pixar’s Wall-E and Eve had a kid, it might look a lot like Smokey and Turbo — two white, tread-wheeled service robots with big blue eyes that can light up into smiles or even heart shapes. Aim a camera at them, and they cock their heads as if they’re posing.
The pair — along with up to four more — are part of Irvine’s latest effort to keep its massive network of curb ramps, sidewalks and trails compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Since late August, the city has been deploying the sensor-equipped robots, developed by Oregon-based Daxbot, to scan for cracks, slopes and other barriers. Their measurements will feed into Irvine’s ADA self-evaluation program, a review officials say will help shape future upgrades.
The city maintains more than 9,000 curb ramps, nearly 1,000 miles of sidewalks, plus dozens of parks and public buildings. Keeping all of that accessible isn’t a small task, said city spokesperson Linda Fontes. The robots offer a way to cover ground more quickly and consistently than sending out staff with clipboards.
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