DDOT testing robots to make fixes to sidewalks, street signs

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — The District’s Department of Transportation ( DDOT ) usually relies on 311 calls to correct issues on D.C. streets, but lately, the agency has been testing robots known as Kiwibots for the same purpose.

“We’d really like to get to a point where we have more systematic data collection on the regular, collecting a whole range of different assets, including sidewalk condition,” said Stephanie Dock, innovation branch manager with DDOT. “Everything from your stop signs, your one way signs, no turn on red.”

The Kiwibots also provide city leaders with information on areas that may not be ADA-accessible.

“If they can move through a space, so can a wheelchair,” said Dock.

The robots use a “baseline dataset” to look for signs.

“But then any other signs that they see while they’re out there, they identify those, mark their locations and add them to the dataset they provide back to us. In the case of the sidewalks, they are using both camera vision and they can also use their lidar, which is light detection,” said Dock.

The pilot program in Navy Yard wraps up at the end of September.

The robots were also tested on Georgia Avenue last year.

“A lot of this is about validating the data we’ve received before,” said Dock.

Howard University is also using the Kiwibots for food deliveries.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.