Two robots, OB1FORC3 (left) and K3NOBI, will be deployed at Ang Mo Kio MRT station on 9 December. (PHOTOS: LTA, SMRT)

SINGAPORE — If you spot a robot wandering around Ang Mo Kio MRT station on 9 December, do not be alarmed – it’s there to help keep you safe.

Two robots, OB1FORC3 and K3NOBI, will be deployed that day to help detect suspicious persons and unattended items during an emergency preparedness exercise held at the station from 10am to 4pm.

Developed by local security company Oneberry Technologies, the robots are equipped with “intelligent surveillance cameras, sensors, and video analytics capabilities”, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SMRT in a joint media release on Monday (25 November).

The exercise will help test the effectiveness of the robots, which have been previously deployed previously at other events.

During the operation, called Exercise Station Guard, commuters entering the station will be directed towards the fare gates next to the station’s Exit D to undergo security screening. Some commuters may be asked to walk through a metal detector and their belongings may be scanned by X-ray machines.

“Commuters should factor in additional travel time for the security screening. They should also avoid bringing bulky items, as these may require more time for screening,” said the release.

The LTA, together with public transport operators, has conducted Exercise Station Guard at various MRT stations since February last year.

Similar exercises were previously conducted at various MRT stations: Newton (Downtown Line), Holland Village (Circle Line), Hougang (North-East Line), Jurong East (East-West Line) and HarbourFront (North East and Circle Line).

Next month's exercise will not be the first time robots have been deployed at MRT stations. In December last year and April this year, robots developed by ST Engineering were deployed for security operations at Hougang MRT station.

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