Home Team aims to deploy first humanoid robot alongside officers by 2028
Singapore's Home Team could have humanoid robots working alongside officers in real-world operations by 2028, taking on routine, physically demanding and dangerous tasks.Announced by the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX), the Home Team Humanoid Robotics Centre (H2RC), a new 29,000 sq ft facility launched on Wednesday (Sept 30), will serve as a testbed for developing and training AI-powered humanoid robots for public safety operations.The centre was launched by Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong, who said technology is increasingly important as Singapore faces manpower constraints and a more complex operating environment.Speaking at the launch, Tong said Singapore's ageing workforce and limited manpower pool meant the Home Team "cannot solve this with sheer numbers alone".He added that the country's dense, high-rise and increasingly underground environment also means emergencies can unfold in tight spaces with little margin for error."Technology must be an integral part of the answer," he said, describing it as a necessary "force multiplier" for the Home Team.