The Singapore Police Force (SPF) is planning to increase its use of policing robots, according to local media.
The Straits Times Reported that after five years of testing, robot patrols will be "progressively rolled out across Singapore".
It's not the first time the city-state has used a patrol robot. They were originally released for security purposes at a parade in 2018. They have become a not uncommon sight during COVID as they patrol various places looking for social distancing violators
Singapore even trained Boston Dynamics' "SPOT" robodog to roam a park to remind visitors to stop keeping their distance. Robodogs have also been used to carry medicine to hospitals.
Singapore has also been using robot patrols at Changi Airport to enforce COVID measures since June 2019.
From April 2023, two more autonomous robots – based on the Multi-purpose All Terrain Autonomous Robot 2.0 and 3.0 – will roam the airport's Terminal 4. The bots feature rotating cameras, flashing lights, sirens and 2,3m extendable arms.
Police can communicate directly with the public through the robots' speakers or capture live video that is stored for 30 days.
One of the perks of using robot patrols during COVID was that it didn't put police officers at risk. Now that social distancing measures and masks are mostly gone, Singapore has decided that the extra eyes will remain.
