{
  "id": 2478985,
  "title": "TTD may deploy robodog to track wildlife, protect devotees on Tirumala hills",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/ttd-may-deploy-robodog-to-track-wildlife-protect-devotees-on-tirumala",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-21T19:00:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ttd-may-deploy-robodog-to-track-wildlife-protect-devotees-on-tirumala-hills-101787338806753.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), caretaker of Lord Venkateshwara temple on the Tirumala hills in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati district, is considering deploying a high-tech quadruped robot to monitor wildlife in the nearby Seshachalam forest ranges, a TTD representative revealed on Friday. On Thursday, TTD's additional executive officer, Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, along with officials, assessed the quadruped robot's performance at Sri Padmavathi Guest House in Tirumala. The delegation evaluated the robot's potential for surveillance in challenging or perilous terrain where human presence is restricted. The spokesman explained that the robot's introduction aims to deter human-animal conflicts along the pilgrimage route to Tirumala, which traverses the forested area. He added that the advanced robotic technology would facilitate real-time wildlife movement monitoring and boost devotee safety in forest zones surrounding Tirumala. The robot is outfitted with optical and thermal imaging cameras, a 360-degree LiDAR, multiple sensors, and artificial intelligence. These capabilities allow the robot to detect and track wildlife in low-visibility scenarios such as darkness or fog. The AI can distinguish between large animals, humans, vehicles, and domestic animals. Upon detecting wildlife movement, the system can transmit geo-tagged alerts and live video and thermal feeds to the control room and patrolling personnel for prompt action. TTD seeks to install the robot in sensitive zones, including forested stretches adjacent to the Alipiri-Tirumala footpath. Early detection of leopards and other wildlife in these areas would alert devotees and facilitate prompt deployment of forest, vigilance, and security teams. The robot's sound and light units could also be utilized to deter animals without physically confronting them, thereby averting direct human-wildlife confrontations. The robot's testing will occur during the upcoming Tirumala Brahmotsavams in September, although it will not supplant existing camera traps, foot patrols, and forest surveillance; instead, it will complement the current surveillance system. The robot's video, thermal imagery, and movement data analysis is anticipated to enhance comprehension of wildlife patterns and ensure optimal patrol scheduling and surveillance deployment in critical zones.",
  "summary": "Advanced four-legged robotic dog with artificial intelligence to track the movement of wild animals in the Seshachalam forest ranges",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}