Singapore is heavily reliant on an immigrant workforce. However, after the number of foreign workers in the country fell by 235,700 between December 2019 and September 2021, the city-state turned to technology, in particular robotics, to address the shortage of workers, according to a Reuters report.
Singapore is a good example of how Covid-19 curbs have sped up "the pace of technology adoption and automation" by companies, said the city-state’s manpower ministry.
During the pandemic, Singapore trialled Boston Dynamics’ four-legged robot, 'Spot', to help promote safe distancing in parks, gardens and nature reserves to lower the risk of exposure to coronavirus. The robot broadcast a message reminding park visitors to observe social distancing guidelines. It was also fitted with cameras that enabled park officials to estimate the number of visitors in parks.
...