Dog-like Robot to “Spot” for Social Distancing Reminders
The term social distancing has fast become one of 2020’s most popular buzz phrases. This concept of 1.5-metre spacing between humans has been implemented at every public place that we’re allowed to visit for essential goods and services during lockdown. And yet, some people are still ignoring the fact that it is for their own good! Well, Singapore has taken a new, unconventional approach to this problem.
Spot, a robot that is designed by Boston Dynamics to mimic a dog’s mannerisms, has been deployed at a park in Singapore as part of its pilot run. In a video posted by CNN Business, you can clearly see the robot gently approaching people in the park and playing a pre-recorded message stating – “Let’s keep Singapore healthy. For your own safety and for those around you, please stand at least one metre apart.”
Videos of Spot went viral several years ago because of its unique appearance and capabilities shown in the video below. Now, you may be asking yourself, how does it know that people are around or how does it avoid walking into walls? Well, here are a few of Spot’s most interesting features:
- It is equipped with perception, navigation and intelligence.
- It can move over terrain that is irregular and uneven – unlike most other robots which rely on wheels to move around.
- It has 360º cameras which allow it to perceive obstacles in its path and avoid them.
- It has the ability to carry objects that are up to 14kgs in weight.
- It has crash protection, which cushions damage taken if something knocks into it, and can stand up again and readjust itself if it is knocked over.
- It can withstand temperatures up to 45º Celcius.
- It is also rain and dust resistant.
- It can be remotely controlled or it can be programmed to perform automated tasks.
Boston dynamics designed Spot to fulfil many other functions as well. It can be used to observe construction sites, survey potentially dangerous areas, such as mines and it can be used for research programmes – such as NASA’s space expeditions.
All-in-all, this robot seems to be the way of the future, and we sure are glad that it comes with the same design as man’s best friend.