Robot Dog Hounds Thai Shoppers to Keep Hands Coronavirus-Free

K9's 5G-powered comrades include ROC, which checks temperatures, and LISA, a customer service-bot.

Robot Dog Hounds Thai Shoppers to Keep Hands Coronavirus-Free

Photo Credit: AFP/ Mladen Antonov

K9's 5G-powered comrades include ROC, which checks temperatures, and LISA, a customer service-bot

Highlights
  • The Thai robot hound, K9 uses 5G technology
  • K9 roams around the popular Central World mall in downtown Bangkok
  • Thailand has 3,101 confirmed cases of the virus and 58 deaths
Advertisement

A scurrying robot dog named K9 dispenses hand sanitiser to curious children and wary shoppers -- one of the more unexpected measures Thai malls are taking as the kingdom relaxes coronavirus restrictions.

The hi-tech hound is controlled using 5G, a technology promising super-fast Internet speeds with immediate reaction times that is still in the initial stages of roll out in Thailand.

Mimicking an excited puppy, K9 roams around the popular Central World mall in downtown Bangkok, drawing the attention of delighted children eager to get gel from a bottle attached to its back.

"It's convenient for people 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 aiming to roll out a 5G network for smartphones by the end of the year.

K9's 5G-powered comrades include ROC, which checks temperatures, and LISA, a customer service-bot.

"For K9 especially, people just think it's really cute," Petra told AFP, adding they hope to dispel any fiction-fuelled fear of a robot takeover.

"The robots are here to assist people, not to replace them."

But shopper Lapassanan Buranapatpakorn was unconvinced, saying that she found K9's skeletal mechanical frame "creepy".

"I think the execution, like the robot itself, is a bit scary," the 29-year-old said, though she admitted that giving out hand sanitiser is a "good idea".

Thailand has gradually lifted restriction on businesses, which have taken precautions such as seating customers apart in restaurants or erecting plastic dividers in massage parlours.

The kingdom currently has 3,101 confirmed cases of the virus and 58 deaths.


Is Realme TV the best TV under Rs. 15,000 in India? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below.

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: Coronavirus, 5G, COVID 19, Thailand, K9
Samsung Galaxy M11 vs Samsung Galaxy M21: Price in India, Specifications Compared
Lunar Eclipse 2020: How to Watch Chandra Grahan Live, India Time, More
Share on Facebook Gadgets360 Twitter Share Tweet Snapchat Share Reddit Comment google-newsGoogle News
 
 

Advertisement

Follow Us

Advertisement

© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2024. All rights reserved.
Trending Products »
Latest Tech News »