Priced between $15,000 and $17,000, CrossBot could provide a decade of service, offering a cost-effective, reliable solution to ensure children’s safety at school crosswalks.
A new robotic innovation, dubbed CrossBot, is poised to address the Bay Area’s crossing guard shortage. Resembling a small lawnmower with a single pole and a tablet-sized screen, this robot may not have the personality of Star Wars’ C-3PO, but it carries a crucial mission: to safeguard children at crosswalks. Developed by Hovannes Kulhandjian, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Fresno State, CrossBot is equipped with advanced technology including Lidar, radar, a microphone, video cameras, a speaker system, and sophisticated algorithms. These tools enable it to monitor its surroundings with a 360-degree view, ensuring minimal error in detecting vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The researcher mentioned that the inspiration for CrossBot came from his personal experience walking his daughters to school, where he observed teachers doubling as crossing guards due to a shortage. “This is a serious device,” he said, emphasizing the importance of safety when children are involved. CrossBot has been tested on city streets, demonstrating over 90% accuracy in detecting oncoming traffic.
The robot’s operation is simple yet effective. It waits at the curb, then rolls into the crosswalk when it’s safe, displaying a red light to halt traffic. Once vehicles stop, the screen turns green, signaling that it’s safe for children to cross. The robot also provides audible cues for visually impaired pedestrians. Despite its potential, the robot has sparked debate among parents. The shortage of crossing guards, exacerbated by the pandemic, has been reported across several Bay Area districts. They emphasize that CrossBot isn’t intended to replace human jobs but to supplement them, particularly in areas with insufficient staffing.
