Robot guide Olly undergoes trial at Little India MRT station

AI-summarized · Neutrality-checked

The Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) initiated a two-week trial of a humanoid robot named Olly at the Little India MRT station, running weekdays from 10 am to 12 pm between August 31 and September 11, 2026. Developed by the Chinese firm Unitree Robotics, the 1.27m tall robot served as a pilot program to test AI-enabled technology in assisting commuters with navigation and service inquiries. During the initial deployment, the robot demonstrated variable performance, successfully providing train arrival times and some directions while struggling with complex queries and auditory processing. The LTA supervised the trial to observe the robot's functionality in a live environment and gauge public reaction.

Consequences

The LTA will use the data collected from this off-peak, controlled trial to evaluate the potential for future integration of AI-enabled robotics in public transport operations. As of the trial's commencement, the authority stated there were no immediate plans for permanent deployment of the technology.

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