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Celerity

(43,299 posts) Thu May 14, 2020, 09:59 PM May 2020

Spot the Robot Dog, Now a Social Distancing Narc, Is Freaking People Out

Good intentions. Bad dog.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/robots/a32446503/spot-robot-patrols-singapore/

Spot, the Internet-famous robotic dog fresh off stints defusing bombs, inspecting oil rigs, and helping hospitals fight the coronavirus, has landed his latest gig: terrifying people into social distancing. Since May 8, Spot has been patrolling the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in Singapore, functioning like a gatekeeper during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, according to a report in the South China Morning Post.

Singapore's government is the entity actually funding the robotic dog, per a press release from last week. Spot is meant "to assist safe distancing efforts at parks, gardens and nature reserves" that the government owns. So in the U.S., that would basically be the equivalent of running across Spot at places like Yellowstone or Redwood.

The pilot will last for two weeks, according to the release, and Spot will take on its vigilante duties only during non-peak hours. Additionally, Spot will play a recorded message to remind park visitors to observe safe distancing measures. At least one park ranger will be present during the trial period. "Spot will be controlled remotely, reducing the manpower required for park patrols and minimizing physical contact among staff, volunteer safe distancing ambassadors and park visitors," the government notes in its release. "This lowers the risk of exposure to the virus."

If the trial proves successful—no word on how Singapore is measuring that—the government will consider permanently deploying the robot dog at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park during the morning and evening peak hours. Singapore will also conduct studies to see if it's worth deploying Spot in other parks. The problem? People seem to be pretty perturbed by Spot, practicing social distancing—and then some—to stay away from the dog bot.