Komts

Komts are compact, modular units described in speculative design and science fiction literature as integrated transport and service modules deployed in urban environments. A typical komts combines mobility, sensing, computation, and manipulation capabilities in a single, weatherproof chassis, enabling autonomous operation and remote control.

The term komts originated in design discourse as an acronym-like name for compact transport and service units; it is not a standardized industry term and has no official technical specification. In fiction and essays, komts illustrate a future where city maintenance and logistics are modularized.

Design characteristics include a low-profile, weatherproof form; electric propulsion or tethered micro-mobility; modular tooling bays; sensors for location, obstacle detection, and environmental data; onboard AI for autonomy; and secure connectivity to a central city mesh network.

Potential uses range from routine municipal tasks such as street cleaning and data collection to last-mile delivery, disaster response, and remote inspection of critical infrastructure. In stories, komts may operate in fleets, exchange tasks, and coordinate with larger autonomous systems.

Limitations and debates focus on safety, privacy, and governance. Questions include how komts are authorized to enter private spaces, how data is stored and shared, who is responsible for maintenance, and how standards are developed to ensure interoperability among different city systems.