SINGAPORE – Robots could soon be delivering food and going on patrols in Punggol under a trial project but, first, plans are under way to help them cross the road safely.
That is why the authorities are looking to add sensors to traffic lights at pedestrian crossings at the junction of Punggol Way and New Punggol Road.
On Sept 21, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) called for vendors to submit quotes to install four long-range ultra-high frequency radio frequency identification antennas at the junction, according to documents issued on government procurement portal GeBiz, and seen by The Straits Times.
The antennas will be able to help self-driving mobile robots activate pedestrian push buttons at the junction. This is because the robots may not have robotic arms to physically press the pedestrian push buttons on traffic light poles, the documents said.
The antennas will be installed on traffic lights at four locations: a slip road close to Block 433A Northshore Drive, a slip road near Block 446A of Punggol Point Cove, and one each in both directions of Punggol Way.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, LTA on Oct 2 said the radio frequency identification card installed on the robots will wirelessly activate the pedestrian crossing signal to enable them to cross the road safely.
This is similar to how pedestrians push a button at traffic light crossings and wait for the green man to come on.
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