Incorporation of uncrewed ground robots in ITS

Uncrewed ground robots (UGRs), such as delivery bots and road maintenance machines, are rapidly being tested and deployed worldwide. These robots operate autonomously on roads and sidewalks, performing tasks like deliveries and road cleaning. Countries such as the U.S., Korea, and Japan are already establishing regulations to integrate UGRs safely into public spaces.

While UGRs are becoming more common, their interaction with current intelligent transportation systems (ITS) is still evolving. Most ITS standards focus on vehicles carrying people, so UGRs, which introduce new safety and visibility challenges, have not been fully addressed.

Many UGRs will connect via 4G/5G networks for fleet management, but questions remain about how autonomous or remotely controlled they will be. Integrating UGRs into C-V2X (Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything) communication could enhance safety by improving interaction with other vehicles, pedestrians, and infrastructure, paving the way for safer and more efficient roads.

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