VIDEO: COVID-19 robot enforces social distancing

Posted: May 11, 2020 / 12:11 PM CDT / Updated: May 11, 2020 / 12:12 PM CDT

(CBS NEWSPATH/REUTERS) Singapore unveiled a four-legged canine-like robot to remind park goers to maintain social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.

The robot, named “Spot,” could be seen patrolling Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park on Friday afternoon as part of a two week trial-run held by the National Parks Board and the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group, according to an official press release from National Parks. Spot, who was developed by Boston Dynamics, is being deployed to “reduce the manpower required for park patrols and minimise contact among staff”.

Spot is equipped with cameras and censors to help it estimate the number of visitors at the park, and occasionally makes announcements via a speaker reminding people to “stand at least one meter apart”.

For now, Spot is remote-controlled, but its developers hope that it will achieve full autonomy in the future.

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