Repurposed Robots Seek to Save Berkeley Drivers Walkers and Bikers
In 2021 Berkeley residents have a new tool to mitigate the aches and pains of navigating Berkeley Streets – Berkeley PCI. This groundbreaking plug-in is compatible with all major navigation applications (Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze) and is designed to alert the user if they are approaching broken ground in the form of potholes, cracked pavement and roadside debris.
What makes Berkeley PCI unique is the real-time data engine that is continually updated by the PCI Watch team. PCI Watch is a squadron of repurposed Kiwi bots that continually monitor surface conditions of Berkeley’s streets, sidewalks and bike lanes. The developer, C More Rhodes, noted, ”we ended food delivery because the bots could not handle the rough and tumble of Berkeley streets; then we had an “”ah-haa”” moment; why not make them part of the solution?”
When the user activates Berkeley PCI they can set a threshold for pavement quality based on the Department of Transportations Pavement Condition Index. In theory, the surface quality for the resulting route will never drop below the desired threshold. However, setting the threshold to high may result in excessively long drive times. One user related the experience of setting a PCI of 80 to get from the North Berkeley hills to the Marina, and they ended up being navigated through Orinda. One user noted, “If you set the PCI too high, the application responds with the message ”Routing Not Possible.””
For some drives the results have been remarkable. Bob and Betty recounted how they would regularly head down Cedar street for their weekly Acme bread run, and “oh if you were not paying attention, suddenly there is a bang, and Bob’s dentures hit the floor boards. With Berkeley PCI that friendly voice comes on and instructs us to deviate.”
Recumbent Rick also described how Berkeley PCI has been a blessing for his cycling group. “Prior to the plug in, we were averaging three bent axles or broken spokes a month, with Berkeley PCI we are down to fixing flats.”
The technology gives you a sense of place
Betty
Inevitably users will still encounter pot holes, and to make the experience more personal, Berkeley PCI will recite the names of sponsors who have taken part in the Berkeley Pothole Naming Program. Betty indicated, “it really makes things more personal that way, the technology gives you a sense of place.”
While the rollout has been considered successful, there have been bumps along the road. Some Kiwi bots have broken down on Berkeley’s worst streets. In addition, bike and wheel alignment shops have noted a significant decline in business from the plug-ins’ users.
