Meet Spot, the Robot Dog that Enforces Social Distancing in Singapore

A robot dog named Spot is patrolling one of Singapore's parks as part of coronavirus-related trial.

The four-legged robot "dog" will patrol the area starting this weekend and broadcast a pre-recorded message to visitors to remind them of the importance of social distancing, authorities said.

The device will also be equipped with cameras that will scan the surroundings and help officials estimate the number of people gathering in parks, they said.

The machine -made by US-based Boston Dynamics- is fitted with a camera to monitor how busy Bishan-Ang Moh Kio Park becomes. It also carries a loudspeaker to broadcast social-distancing messages.

The pilot project is currently set to run in a limited trial for two weeks at one park during off-peak hours. But if all goes well, authorities will consider expanding the program.

The government says it's also using Spot in another task: at a local isolation facility where the robot helps bring medicine to patients.