Singapore’s Home Team is targeting 2028 for the first deployment of a humanoid robot alongside officers in a real operational setting, as authorities expand the use of artificial intelligence and robotics for public safety.
The Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) announced the opening of the 29,000 sq ft Home Team Humanoid Robotics Centre (H2RC) on Sept. 30. The facility will serve as a testbed for developing, training and testing AI-powered humanoid robots designed for public safety operations.
Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong said the goal is to have the first humanoid robot working alongside Home Team officers by 2028, carrying out defined tasks safely and reliably. The robots are intended to augment officers rather than replace them, particularly by taking on routine, physically demanding or dangerous work.
Several potential applications are already being developed. Robots could assist Singapore Civil Defence Force personnel with hazardous-material operations, including identifying sources of dangerous substances, containing spills and collecting samples while reducing officers’ exposure to risks.
The Singapore Police Force could also use humanoid robots during post-blast investigations. A prototype demonstrated the ability to move through unstable areas, kneel and recover potential evidence while being remotely controlled by an operator.
Another potential application is in prisons, where humanoid robots could eventually conduct routine cell searches and help detect contraband. The Singapore Prison Service is exploring capabilities such as fine motor control, dexterous hands and tactile sensing for these tasks.
The robots could also perform repetitive work such as restocking medical supplies in ambulances, freeing officers to concentrate on duties requiring human judgment, empathy and discretion.
The H2RC is designed around the concept of embodied AI, allowing robots to perceive, learn and act in physical environments rather than simply follow fixed, pre-programmed instructions. Realistic mock-ups of public safety settings will be used to generate training data and test the robots’ capabilities.
HTX has also signed a memorandum of understanding with ST Engineering covering research and development, technology and platform integration, industry and academic partnerships, and cybersecurity. The agency is working with Singtel RE:AI to upgrade its sovereign AI infrastructure to support the computing requirements of embodied AI development.
Before any operational deployment, the systems will undergo trials and validation, including testing for reliability and cybersecurity. The approach reflects Singapore’s broader push to use technology as a force multiplier while adapting to manpower and operational challenges.
If the development timeline is met, Singapore’s first humanoid robot could be working alongside Home Team officers in a real-world setting by 2028, marking a new stage in the country’s use of AI-powered robotics for public safety.
