SPOT robot dog tells people to social distance- adorable or creepy?

SPOT is a robotic dog created by Boston Dynamics (former google-owned company bought by a Japanese communications company, SoftBank)  which is currently being used by authorities in Singapore to remind people to social distance.   The robot is part of a two week trial (May 8th – 22nd) to see if it will be used in other parks across the city- state.

SPOT roams around joggers and cyclists in the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park Park and says in English, “Let’s keep Singapore healthy.   For you own safety and for those around you, please stand at least one metre apart.   Thank you.”

Singapore currently has approximately 21,000 cases in a city-state of 5.7 million people.

SPOT was unveiled in 2015 when Boston Dynamics shared a video of their 160 pound robotic dog walking over tough terrain and staying upright after being kicked hard.

SPOT has also been used in other ways during this unprecedented time.    The robotic dogs have stood in for graduating students at a Japan university and staffed a China smart hospital.

SPOT used in Massachusetts hospital Boston Dynamics

SPOT has also been used at the  Brigham And Women’s Hospital of Harvard University.    The robot has been equipped with an iPad and walkie-talkie” placed on its back.     It has been used for telemedicine where a doctor can speak to patients without having to be in the same room.

There are many mixed reactions to the use of SPOT.     Critics  are calling it creepy and dystopian.    One person wrote, “One of the creepiest and most dystopian things I’ve seen since the pandemic began.”

Another person asked, “Anyone think this is going a bit far?  Robots watching our distance now?  For a virus that kills less than 1%?  What is happening?

And another wrote this, ” Go get’ em Spot.   Make them your human slaves for the forth-coming robot empire!”

SPOT has cameras and analytics tools to estimate how many people are in the park.    Singapore authorities says the cameras wouldn’t be able to track individuals or record personal data.   And that is where the problem lies.

Many are reluctant to believe this.    With so smart devices having the ability to spy on so much of our lives, what is to stop this robotic dog from spying on us which is why critics of it called it dystopian.

Will SPOT be able to violate our privacy and secretly surveil us?  Will our Fourth Amendment rights be infringed upon by robotic devices?   Drones fall into this category as well as they’ve been utilized by the police and first responders in operations that may put them in danger.

Will those who use them have strict guidelines and policies that don’t allow to be used unlawfully?   Without that, they will be able to violate our privacy.

Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer, and an unabashed animal advocate. Her love for animals and quest for the hard truth is what drives her passion for all things animals. She hosts the television show, “A Close Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.” She adores her tripawd, Brody, who was a formerly abused pup who lost his leg because of cruelty inflicted upon him. If you’d like Tina to talk to your group or have a story, please email her at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com. Like https:www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookatAnimalWelfareIssues and be sure to check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com.