Rethinking Robots

Published on
Rethinking Robots

GHOST ROAD was published in June 2020 as the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was winding down and Black Lives Matter protests were winding up. While we struggled to find a space to talk about the future of autonomous vehicles amidst so many urgent and important conversations—one opportunity did arrive on our doorstep in early July, the BBC’s remarkable Rethink podcast.

I recorded a short essay which you can play here, which asked what the remarkable mobilization of automated logistics during the lockdowns of spring 2020 might mean for the future of our cities.

That podcast became a book, and you can now purchase a copy of Rethink: Leading Voices on Life After Crisis and How We Can Make A Better World from Penguin UK. I’m honored to be featured alongside the Dalai Lama, Pope Francis, Brian Eno, and so many other brilliant thinkers.

About the Author

Anthony Townsend
Urban Technologist

Dr. Anthony Townsend is President and Founder of Star City Group, where he works around the world with industry, government and philanthropy on urban tech foresight, policy, and planning studies.