Robot dogs are now patrolling in Singapore to remind citizens to practice social distancing in an effort to stop the further spread of the deadly coronavirus disease.
“Spot” is a robot dog created by Boston Dynamics. It has started patrolling the River Plains section of Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in Singapore on Friday, as reported by the Straits Times.
The dog-like robot can operate in any variety of weather, challenge any terrain, run, pick itself up, unlock and open doors, and can even dance!
It was fitted with cameras to patrol the park and broadcast a recorded message “reminding park visitors to observe safe distancing measures,” according to the paper.
The robot is part of a two-week trial. During this time, Spot is accompanied by a human officer. It is also currently on trial at the Changi Exhibition Centre community isolation facility, which houses patients with mild symptoms of the virus. Strait Times reported that the robot helps deliver essential items such as medicine to patients.
The government has assured its people that the dogs “will not be able to track or recognize specific individuals, neither will it collect any personal data.”
If the trial proves successful, the “dog” will be up for deployment in other parks.
Aside from Spot, 30 drones were also deployed to police parks and nature areas.
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