Robot“dog” encourages social distancing 機器狗提醒游客保持社交距離

浙江杭州市富陽區新登中學 胡君祥

Singapore is trying a new way to get its residents to stay away from each other.

On Friday,the government announced it would start using Spot at one local park.The four-legged robot “dog” will patrol the area starting this weekend and broadcast a prerecorded message to visitors to remind them of the importance of social distancing.

The device will also be equipped with cameras that will scan the surroundings and help officials estimate the number of people gathering in parks.

“These cameras will not be able to track or recognize specific individuals,and no personal data will be collected,”the government said in a statement.

The new measure is an experiment to improve enforcement of social distancing throughout Singapore.

The pilot project is currently set to run in a limited trial for two weeks at one park during offpeak hours.But if all goes well,the government will consider expanding the program.

The government says it's also using Spot in another place—at a local isolation facility where the robot helps bring medicine to patients.

Spot,which went viral in a series of online videos several years ago showing that it could run uphill,mount stairs and even get you a drink,is generally used for inspections on construction sites or similar situations.

It also has been used for public safety reasons,such as helping“inspect hazardous packages from afar”.

Singapore's government said Friday that it had picked the model for its flexibility.“Unlike wheeled robots,Spot works well across different terrains and can navigate obstacles effectively,making it ideal for operation in public parks and gardens,”it noted.

For now,at least one park ranger will be patrolling the area along with the robot,according to the government.

Reading Check

1.What's the main function of the robot“dog”?

A.Punishing visitors who step on the grass.

B.Broadcasting a pre-recorded message on safety.

C.Warning people to have a safe social distance.

D.Collecting personal data for the government.

2.Why is Spot equipped with cameras?

A.To find potential patients.

B.To offer help to patients.

C.To avoid some dangerous places.

D.To help tell the number of people in parks.

3.What do we know about the four-legged robot“dog”?

A.It's very flexible.

B.It can work alone.

C.It's very cheap.

D.It's easily operated.

Language Study

Difficult sentence

Spot,which went viral in a series of online videos several years ago showing that it could run uphill,mount stairs and even get you a drink,is generally used for inspections on construction sites or similar situations.

【翻譯】___________________________________________________________________________

【點石成金】本句為一個主從復合句，主句主語是Spot,which引導一個非限制性定語從句，在定語從句中，that引導賓語從句，作動詞showing的賓語。