It resembles a compact lawnmower, but instead of having two handles, it features a single black pole with a tablet-sized screen mounted on top.
This robot may not be as chatty as C-3PO from “Star Wars,” but it does have speaking capabilities. Named CrossBot, this basic prototype doesn’t entertain like Robot from “Lost in Space,” but according to its creator, it offers significant advantages, such as safeguarding children at crosswalks and addressing the Bay Area’s shortage of crossing guards.
Hovannes Kulhandjian, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Fresno State, explained, “It has a 360-degree view of the environment. This is a very serious device; you need to minimize errors because it deals with children.”
Kulhandjian, who also collaborates with the Mineta Transportation Institute in San Jose, is in the process of patenting CrossBot. The robot is equipped with sensors including Lidar, a microphone, radar, video camera capabilities, a speaker system, and advanced algorithms. In demonstrations, CrossBot positions itself at the curb and enters the crosswalk only when traffic is clear.
When the robot enters the crosswalk, its screen displays a red light. Once a vehicle halts, the screen turns green, indicating to children waiting at the curb that it is safe to cross. The robot can also communicate with visually impaired individuals to signal when it’s safe to cross.
Kulhandjian conceived the idea while escorting his young daughters to school in Fresno and observing teachers acting as crossing guards despite their other duties. He trusts the robot to assist all children, including his own, and reports that it has been tested on city streets with over 90% accuracy in detecting vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
However, not all parents are convinced. Lafayette resident Kelly Lathrop expressed concern, stating, “I would be upset if a robot replaced our crossing guards. They know our kids, and their presence is a key part of our daily routine. I wouldn’t trust a robot to avoid malfunctions or hacking. We need human oversight at these intersections.”
Angela Roberts, whose daughters attend Laurelwood Elementary in Santa Clara, shares concerns about the robot’s reliability but notes the high turnover among school crossing guards in recent years. School districts in San Jose, Oakland, Los Altos, San Francisco, and Pleasant Hill have all reported shortages, exacerbated by the pandemic and its impact on staffing.
“There’s often a new crossing guard every few months or even weeks,” Roberts said. “The challenge of hiring and retaining crossing guards persists due to their hours and pay. The demand for robotic crossing guards could be a viable solution.”
Pedestrian accidents are a leading cause of death for children under 14, and overall pedestrian fatalities are rising. In 2022, over 7,500 pedestrians were killed by drivers, the highest number since 1981.
Robots are increasingly used in various sectors, from transporting goods to handling airport security. The global robotics market is projected to reach $95.93 billion by 2029.
Kulhandjian emphasizes that CrossBot is not intended to replace human crossing guards but to complement and enhance their efforts, particularly in areas with limited staffing or lacking traffic lights. He estimates the robot could cost a school district between $15,000 and $17,000 and last for about a decade.
