Now Reading: TTD deploys robotic dogs for Tirumala safety
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TTD deploys robotic dogs for Tirumala safety
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has introduced AI-powered robotic dogs to enhance security for pilgrims on the Alipiri footpath route. The robotic dogs can detect wild animals, including leopards and bears, from a distance…
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has introduced AI-powered robotic dogs to enhance security for pilgrims on the Alipiri footpath route. The robotic dogs can detect wild animals, including leopards and bears, from a distance and use sirens and sounds to drive them away. The move follows a 2024 incident in which a child was killed by a leopard on the same route.
Each robotic dog costs about Rs 25 lakh, and the TTD has procured two units initially. Officials said the devices can operate in darkness and dense fog. If the project proves successful, the temple body plans to deploy two more robotic dogs to strengthen surveillance on the trekking path.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The TTD is not new to deploying technology for crowd and security management, but using AI-driven robotic deterrents for wildlife is a first. The Alipiri footpath, which thousands of pilgrims use daily, passes through forested areas of the Seshachalam hills, a corridor for leopards, sloth bears and wild boars. The 2024 leopard attack that killed a child prompted a temporary drop in footfall and heightened calls for non-lethal animal control. The TTD now has to monitor whether the robotic dogs stay operational in the hill's monsoon conditions and battery-charging infrastructure. The next key indicator will be the frequency of wildlife-sighting complaints over the next three months, which will determine the procurement of the additional two units.
Source: tupaki.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
