Singapore brings robotic patrols to the streets to enforce social norms

The Science and Technology Agency of Singapore has sent Xavier unmanned robots to patrol the streets of Toa Payoh Central.

As part of a three-week pilot project, robotswill assist government officials to monitor violations of social norms of behavior, such as smoking in prohibited areas, illegal trade, improperly parked bicycles, gathering more than five people in accordance with existing social distancing measures, and the like.

The Xavier body has a trapezoidal shape with four wheels. It is equippeda set of sensors for autonomous navigation,A 360-degree camera, the video stream from which is transmitted to the command and control center, several systems for sensing and collecting analyzes, as well as an interactive dashboard where civil servants can receive the necessary data, track and give commands to other robots.

If violations are detected, Xavier notifies the control center and informs the people around to prevent such behavior.

With the help of robots, the Singapore government wants to increase the level of safety on the city's streets, while simultaneously removing some of the burden from police officers and other government employees.  

Previously, patrol robots were also tested in Houston and Handan.

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