Robot dog hounds Thai shoppers to keep hands virus-free
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A scurrying robot dog named K9 dispenses hand sanitizer to curious children and wary shoppers -- one of the most unexpected measures Thai malls are taking as the kingdom relaxes virus restrictions.
The hi-tech hound is manipulated using 5G, a technology promising super-fast internet speeds with immediate reaction times that's still in the initial stages of roll out in Thailand.
Mimicking an excited puppy, K9 roams around the favorite Central World mall in downtown Bangkok, drawing the attention of delighted children wanting to get gel from a bottle mounted on its back.
"It's convenient for folks to wash their hands, just like a preventive measure... especially in this COVID-19 situation," said Petra Saktidejbhanubandh, a marketing officer for mobile operator Advanced Info Services (AIS).
AIS is looking to roll out a 5G network for smartphones by the finish of the year.
K9's 5G-powered comrades include ROC, which checks temperatures, and LISA, a person service-bot.
"For K9 especially, persons consider it's really cute," Petra told AFP, adding they desire to dispel any fiction-fueled concern with a robot takeover.
"The robots are here to aid people, never to replace them."
But shopper Lapassanan Buranapatpakorn was unconvinced, saying that she found K9's skeletal mechanical frame "creepy".
"I believe the execution, just like the robot itself, is somewhat scary," the 29-year-old said, though she admitted that offering hand sanitizer is a "good idea".
Thailand has slowly but surely lifted restriction on businesses, that have taken precautions such as seating customers apart in restaurants or erecting plastic dividers in massage parlors.
The kingdom currently has 3,101 confirmed cases of the virus and 58 deaths.
Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com