Robot in Little India MRT station can help commuters find their way, give travel information
Droid will be deployed for the Downtown Line on weekdays from 10am to 12pm for a 12-day trial.
Commuters at the Little India MRT station on Singapore's Downtown Line will soon have a new assistant. A humanoid robot named Olly will be testing its capabilities from August 31 to September 11, providing directions, travel tips, and answering questions about the rail system and LTA. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has launched the trials to explore how artificial intelligence can support public transport operations. LTA officials will monitor the robot closely at all times, as it will not operate independently.
The choice of Little India MRT station for this experiment was strategic. The station has a simpler layout, making it an ideal venue for testing robotic assistance. It is also conveniently located near the LTA office, ensuring the robot remains well-charged.
Olly, as the robot is called, can respond to queries about the rail network and LTA services. Before its deployment, the robot was undergoing testing and mapping functions to become familiar with the station's environment. LTA officials are requesting patience from commuters as they get to know the new addition.
Back in May, LTA Deputy Chief Executive Yee Boon Cheow had predicted that humanoid robots could assist at train stations within the next 10 to 15 years. They could handle routine tasks such as patrols or answering simple commuter queries, freeing up station staff to focus on more complex customer service. In the future, humanoid robots could even perform physically demanding tasks like heavy lifting in train depots.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
