Four-legged robot goes on trial at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park to promote safe distancing

SINGAPORE — Visitors to Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park will be reminded to keep a safe distance from each other by a four-legged robot called Spot, which has been deployed on a two-week trial at the park.

From Friday (May 8), the robot will ply a 3km stretch at the River Plains section of the park during off-peak hours, said the National Parks Board (NParks), Smart Nation and Digital Government Office, and Government Technology Agency — the authorities behind the pilot trial.

During the trial, the robot will broadcast a recorded message to remind park visitors to observe safe distancing. It will also be fitted with cameras to estimate the number of visitors at the park, though the authorities said these cameras will not be able to track or recognise specific individuals or collect personal data.

In a joint press release on Friday (May 8), the authorities added that if the trial is successful, Spot could be used at the park during peak hours in the morning and evening, or at other parks such as the Jurong Lake Gardens.

The robot will help to reduce the manpower required for park patrols and minimise physical contact between staff, volunteers and park visitors as it can be controlled remotely, thus lowering the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

The authorities said that the four-legged robot is "ideal for operation in public parks and gardens" as it does not have wheels and can thus navigate obstacles effectively and operate well across different terrains.

Spot is also fitted with safety sensors to detect objects and people in its path, and has in-built algorithms to avoid collisions, though it will be accompanied by at least one NParks officer during the trial.

This is not the first time that Spot has been deployed. It is also on trial at the Changi Exhibition Centre community isolation facility, where it is used to deliver essential items such as medicine to patients.

The Smart Nation and Digital Government Group will also explore using the robot to support other Covid-19-related operations across agencies, the authorities added.

Since April, national water agency PUB has deployed a miniature car robot named O-R3 to encourage visitors at Bedok Reservoir to abide by safe distancing measures, and similar robots will be used at Pandan and MacRitchie reservoirs in the future.