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Opinion: New technology points to bright future for Springfield

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When new technology comes to Springfield, it can be an exciting and illuminating time.

I recall in 2016, when Uber arrived in town for the first time after much anticipation, just how much residents and city leaders were happy to have the service. To this day, Uber – and Lyft, as well – provide reliable transportation options for residents and visitors alike. These kinds of technologies are game changers for the Queen City.

Recently, I felt similar excitement with announcements involving e-scooters and robots.

International e-scooter rental company Bird Rides Inc. this month launched rental operations in Springfield. The company is the first licensed by the city to rent or deploy from public right of way, meaning you can grab e-scooters from designated spots throughout much of center city.

If you’ve been downtown this month, I’m sure you’ve noticed the enthusiasm brought on by a new transportation option. I witnessed e-scooters zipping in and out of streets, carrying passengers to their next fun spot. Everyone looked entertained.

It’s the kind of service you expect in a big city, and while we’re not on the population level of Kansas City or St. Louis, having e-scooters brings a new kind of vibe that I’m personally keen to revel in.

With the Bird app, you can see where e-scooters are located. A quick starter payment, along with money per mile, and you’re on your way. I haven’t driven one yet, but that’s next on my list.

It will be fun to watch as Bird and local companies like Eway Scooters LLC – which doesn’t yet have its city public right of way license – grow the industry right here in Springfield.

Bird also has a contract to offer 30 e-scooters at Missouri State University’s campus.

At MSU, we find our next technological advancement playing out right before our eyes.

San Francisco-based Starship Technologies this month rolled out a fleet of 20 autonomous, on-demand robots that deliver food from on-campus eateries at MSU. Officials say MSU is the first college in Missouri to receive the service.

Like with Bird, the service works through an app. Staff and students can use the Starship Deliveries app to have robots deliver their food to their location on campus.

This is unlikely to be the last we see of delivery robots in Springfield, going by rollouts in other cities.

With a large Amazon distribution center in Republic, it would be great to get same-day delivery service via drones.

The sky’s the limit, and I welcome new technology that will transform the landscape of the city. These are the kinds of things that will help us attract new residents and grow our city the right way.

Continuing to add technological advances locally could mean Springfield’s future is electric.

Springfield Business Journal Digital Editor Geoff Pickle can be reached at gpickle@sbj.net.

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