Singapore deploys police robots at Changi Airport for patrolling and ride-hailing

The autonomous robot, named Gibson, is equipped with multiple cameras and sensors to navigate the environment, avoiding obstacles and people. Besides its patrol function, it also serves as a personal mobility device (PMD) to help officers cover long distances efficiently, as reported by The Straits Times.

Developed by The Home Team Science and Technology Agency in collaboration with the A*Star Institute for Infocomm Research, Gibson has been in trial since early July.

"Gibson was inspired by the concept of creating a buddy robot for our officers," Seah Qi Yan, an engineer at HTX’s Robotics, Automation, and Unmanned Systems Center of Expertise, said. "They can use it as a PMD in their operations and transform it into an autonomous robot when not in use."

Singapore's Changi airport. Photo from Pexels

During a media demonstration on July 16, Gibson showcased its dual-mode operation. In autonomous mode, the robot uses cameras, 3D LiDAR, and Sonar technology to navigate and avoid obstacles, according to AsiaOne. It also features a "safety bubble" that stops the robot and sounds an alarm if someone gets too close.

In ride-hailing mode, Gibson can autonomously travel to an officer’s location, enhancing operational convenience. Superintendent of Police Patrick Pang from the Airport Police Division said the robot will complement existing police patrols and improve police visibility at the airport.

"The ride-hailing function makes it convenient for officers to summon Gibson without having to manually search for one. And with the autonomous mode, our officers do not have to worry about where to park, as it can resume its patrols without returning to a designated parking lot," Pang explained.

Gibson is the second type of police robot at Changi Airport. The first patrol robots were introduced in April 2023 after five years of trials.

Other robots are also deployed at the airport, FTN News reported. Toni the Robotic Bartender serves cocktails at the Lotte Duty Free stores in Terminals 2 and 3. PETER, a robocop patrolling the main entrance of Jewel, delivers traffic enforcement alerts to drivers who stop for too long.

A hospitality robot on Level 5 serves sweets and bottled water, while mop robots on Level 1 handle cleaning tasks.