Doglike robot for social distancing

   Singapore is trying a new way to get its people to stay away from each other. Spot, a doglike robot, is being used to patrol (巡查) one of the country’s public parks and to remind people in the park to keep their distance from one another during the coronavirus pandemic.

    The yellow and black robot is made by Boston Dynamics, an American company. It walks on four legs. And as it walks around the park, people can hear a woman’s voice which says, “Let’s keep Singapore healthy. For your own safety and for those around you, please stand at least one meter apart. Thank you.” The robot is also equipped with cameras that help Singapore’s government know the number of people in the park.

    Spot is controlled remotely. Using Spot allows the government to reduce manpower (人力) for park patrols and also helps lower the risk of catching the novel coronavirus for park workers and visitors.

    In fact, this type of robot has already been doing its part in the fight against the novel coronavirus. In April, Boston Dynamics provided a 3-foot-tall, 70-pound doglike robot for Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Equipped with an iPad “face”, the robot helps doctors communicate with patients without coming into contact with them. It’s safe for both doctors and patients.

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