Covid-19: Singapore Utilizes Robot ‘Dog’ to Encourage Social Distancing (Photos)

Singapore has announced the deployment of robot dogs to promote social distancing in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The government revealed its initiative to deploy Spot, a well-known yellow and black canine robot from Boston Dynamics, in local parks. This robot “dog” will patrol the areas and broadcast a pre-recorded message to remind visitors about the importance of social distancing.

The robotic dog will come equipped with cameras that can scan the surroundings and assist government officials in estimating the number of people gathering in parks.

Stating, “These cameras will not be able to track and recognize specific individuals, and no personal data will be collected,” the government assured in a statement.

“Unlike wheeled robots, Spot works well across different terrains and can navigate obstacles effectively, making it ideal for operation in public parks and gardens,” the statement highlighted.

The government of Singapore announced that the robotic dog project will undergo a limited trial for two weeks in one park, during off-peak hours. If successful, authorities will consider expanding the program.

Singapore has experienced a significant surge in Coronavirus cases, following its initial praise for handling the virus.

Since March 17, the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Singapore has risen from 266 to 21,707 cases, as reported by Johns Hopkins University, which collates Covid-19 data worldwide.

In March, Singapore introduced a contact-tracing app that utilizes Bluetooth to notify users if they had close contact with an infected individual.