Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Dr. Rachel Macrorie is a leading urban geographer whose research critically examines the intersection of robotics, automation, and city life. Her work challenges the notion that these technologies are merely technical, instead framing cities as experimental testbeds where new forms of robotic and automated systems are reshaping economic and social life. Her most influential contribution, the 2019 paper "Robotics and automation in the city: a research agenda" (169 citations), provides a foundational framework for understanding how these innovations are moving from factories and labs into urban streets, homes, and public spaces. This work, alongside her co-authored white papers for the EPSRC UK-RAS Network, identifies a distinctive urban agenda, highlighting critical challenges and international experiments in urban robotics. Dr. Macrorie’s research is pivotal for students and scholars interested in smart cities, urban governance, and the socio-technical dynamics of automation. She has been instrumental in shaping policy-relevant discussions on how cities can responsibly integrate robotics, ensuring that urban futures are not only technologically advanced but also equitable and sustainable.