Robots in Bejing parks will make humans more efficient

Seventy-two robots will be deployed in 14 municipal parks in Beijing by the end of July to perform a variety of tasks that will help managers with their work, according to the Beijing Municipal Park Management Center.

The robots will help staff members monitor insect pests, track wildlife and carry out routine maintenance while reducing the need for manual inspections.

Internet-connected monitoring lamps will combine insect-attracting lights with intelligent recognition technology. The robots will lure insects, take photographs, upload data and analyze pest activity automatically, allowing parks to monitor outbreaks in real time and issue early warnings.

In addition, bird-monitoring devices using sound and video to record and analyze bird calls and activity will be installed, The devices can identify more than 1,200 species, locate and track birds and compile data on distribution and behavior. The information will allow park staff and researchers monitor bird patterns and broader ecological changes over time.

Humans can be monitored as well. For instance, at the Temple of Heaven, patrol robots can identify more than 10 types of improper visitor behavior, including smoking and bringing pets into the park.

At Yuyuantan Park, an aquatic weed-cutting robot can be remotely controlled or operate autonomously as it cuts, collects and transports aquatic plants.

Zhou Ziniu, deputy director of the center's science and technology information division, said machine performance will be assessed under different conditions.

The data collected from each park will be used to monitor operations in real time and guide the wider use of robots in service of park management, Zhou said. The program covers cleaning, inspections, visitor guidance, water rescue, horticultural maintenance and ecological monitoring. Robots will remove floating rubbish among their many tasks.