Kathmandu Valley Preparing for Robot-Based Traffic Management, Road Testing Begins
Preparations are underway to manage traffic in Kathmandu Valley through robots. The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, in collaboration with Mav Vriddhi Future Tech, is preparing to bring the “Unitree Robot” into use. The Traffic Police Office stated that the robot is currently being trained in traffic rules and has also been tested on the road twice.
Robot’s Capacity and Training
According to Prakash Subedi, Business Head of Mav Vriddhi Future Tech, the robot is being prepared according to traffic rules through artificial intelligence (AI). At present, the robot is being trained to identify traffic lights, drunk driving, and situations where helmets are not used. He said the Unitree Robot also has the capacity to conduct classes for those found driving under the influence.
Although all traffic rules cannot be applied to the robot at once, work is underway to complete the process in phases. Subedi informed that it will take about one month to teach the robot red, green, and yellow light signals and road-crossing rules. The tech company currently has six robots, some of which have been trained and practiced in traffic rules.
Practice as a Pilot Project
The Traffic Police Office has said that once work begins through robots, it will become easier for everyone. As part of this process, robot-based traffic management practice was conducted at the zebra crossing in front of Singha Durbar.
Traffic Police spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Naresh Raj Subedi said robot-based traffic management has been taken forward as a pilot project. He said, “We are trying to see and practice how useful the robot will be in traffic management. We are still in the initial practice phase. Let us see, perhaps we will succeed.”
Initial Plan
The robot is being brought into use with the objective of increasing the use of modern technology in traffic management. Traffic Police also claim that the robot will be effective in increasing traffic awareness.
Initially, the plan is to use the robot to provide passengers and drivers with safe travel information, traffic rules, and necessary awareness messages. It has been stated that if the testing is successful, further processes will be taken forward in coordination with the concerned bodies.
Nepal Police