South San Francisco, CA Public Rights-of-Way Assessment

Who owns the robots?+-

The robots are designed, manufactured, and operated by Daxbot, based in Philomath, OR. Daxbot operators use the robots to collect engineering data on pathways for cities and universities.

Are the robots recording me?+-

No, robots are not collecting personal data. Daxbot cameras are focused on the sidewalk in front of them and are used only to collect pedestrian facility data and aid with navigation. The only time video gets saved is in the event of a safety-related incident.

Why is the robot sitting still for so long?+-

When a bot finishes an assessment area, it will go into an idle mode to upload pathway data or wait for its next task. Uploading data doesn’t take long, but depending on where Dax’s next task is, it may have to wait for a longer period to be re-located.

How does robot data collection compare to manual data collection?+-

A robot can measure up to 8 miles of sidewalk per day, compared with about 2 miles per day for a two-person manual crew, and it collects continuous measurements rather than measuring at intervals every several feet. This gives cities faster, more actionable data.

How does cost compare?+-

Automated collection saves cities money. Because the work can often be completed faster and with more detailed data, robotic collection can reduce the overall project timeline and cost compared with traditional manual methods.

Are Dax robots replacing humans?+-

No. The robots are a tool used to measure pedestrian facilities more efficiently and will be in town just long enough to complete their work. City staff, consultants, engineers, and ADA coordinators still guide the project and make the planning decisions.