After successfully launching Chuck and Charlotte, the city’s newest AI employees in training, the city is taking smart city innovation to the next level with the official launch of AI-powered crosswalks this spring.
These state-of-the-art, solar powered, Smart Crosswalks will not only help pedestrians cross safely, but they can also give directions, answer questions, and even hand out compliments to brighten your day.
“We’ve all used crosswalks before, but have you ever had one tell you that you have a great taste in jackets?” said Mayor Larry Johannson.
“These Smart Crosswalks are going to make walking in Selkirk safer, more interactive, and let’s be honest—a lot more fun.”
Crosswalks have spent months gathering data
The AI-enhanced crosswalks installed last fall as part of the North Main Reconstruction Project at Morris and at Queen, have spent months gathering data and learning from Selkirk citizens. Now, they’re almost ready to launch, bringing a whole new level of convenience to pedestrians.
How does it work? Simply speak to the crosswalk and it will respond in real-time. Need directions? Want to know the closest place for coffee? The crosswalk should have you covered. And if it doesn’t know the answer? No problem—it will automatically create a CitizenSupport ticket so that a representative can reach out to you with the information you need as soon as possible.
Citizens can also report issues on the spot. If you say something like “The sidewalk is icy” or “This crosswalk button isn’t working,” the Smart Crosswalk will instantly log the request and notify city crews through the CitizenSupport ticketing system.
“This is all about making Selkirk more responsive and connected,” added Johannson. “Pretty soon, our crosswalks might even be judges for the Selkirk Biz Summer Parade!”
Share feedback to enhance citizen experience
The city encourages citizens to provide feedback on their experiences with the Smart Crosswalks especially if it provides inefficient directions or whistles inappropriately when you walk by.
The AI-enhanced crosswalks will become fully operational on April 31st, or whenever they actually get invented. Feel free to start chatting with their local crosswalks anyway — you never know, they might talk back one day!
