Robodog (robot dog) Spot, which was built by Boston Dynamics, is on trial deployment in a central park in Singapore to test if it could enforce proper social distancing as the country is on “circuit breaker” (or lockdown) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
If the trial proves to be effective, it is possible that more of these yellow and black robodogs will patrol Singapore’s green spaces during the city-state’s quarantine.
“Let’s keep Singapore healthy,” Spot said as it made its rounds patrolling the park. “For your own safety and for those around you, please stand at least one meter apart. Thank you,” it added, in a softly-spoken female voice.
Even with bells and whistles like this robodog, failure to comply with Singapore’s strict lockdown rules can result in hefty fines and even jail.
There are 5.7 million people in Singapore. It has reported more than 21,000 cases, one of the highest tallies in Asia, largely due to mass infections among migrant workers living in cramped dormitories in areas little visited by tourists.
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