Unmanned, but never without a human touch

Written by Claire Tan

PHOTOS: Hilman Hamidan, Claire Tan, Amos Choo. GRAPHIC: Claire Tan

The future of policing is not on the horizon — it is already here. At the Police Workplan Seminar 2026, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) unveiled technologies designed to support a future-ready Police Force.

Here are the most impressive unmanned initiatives we believe will shape the SPF into the protectors of tomorrow.

1. Home Team SkyGuardian 

The Home Team SkyGuardian is every bit the protector in the skies as its name suggests. PHOTO: SPF

Against the sky-blue expanse, the Home Team SkyGuardian cuts a striking figure in motion. Watching the drone ascend feels less like observing a piece of machinery, and more like witnessing the birth of a new era in frontline policing. 

What stood out most about the Home Team SkyGuardian was its versatility. It was hard not to marvel at the drone’s pre-planned and incident response capabilities, which also cater to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). For routine patrols, the drone can project police presence and detect suspicious activity on the ground before they escalate. If large-scale events like fires occur, the drone can also be deployed swiftly to provide heat spot monitoring for live sense-making, delivering immediate situational awareness to support ground operations. All live situational updates are directly streamed to the Police Operations Command Centre, ensuring that human judgement remains central to operations.  

Moreover, a robotic arm within the drone pod autonomously swaps payload systems based on operational needs. Its primary camera system delivers video streaming for automatic detection, target tracking and laser distance measurement. The secondary situational awareness camera provides zoom and distance measurement. Fixed payloads such as emergency blinkers, a searchlight and loudspeaker system further reinforce the Home Team SkyGuardian’s operational capabilities.

The drones have begun aerial patrols from May 2026.

2. Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV)

SPF has leveraged technology to enhance its operational capabilities at sea in the form of the USV. PHOTO: Hilman Hamidan

Currently under trial, the USV strengthens the Police Coast Guard’s maritime security operations by supporting surveillance and incident response. 

Designed for Singapore’s busy waterways, the USV’s 360-degree stereoscopic cameras capture near-range surroundings for collision detection and avoidance, enabling the USV to patrol safely and autonomously. Its blinkers, siren and searchlight further strengthen its ability to deter threats and respond during operations.

Notably, what stood out to us was the USV’s “human-in-the-loop” approach. When the USV’s Seaborne Electro-Optics System detects threats, its two-way communication system enables operators to conduct remote investigations and issue warnings to nearby vessels.

3. Community Engagement Robot Ambassador (CERA)

On land, SPF has introduced a humanoid robot named CERA, developed in-house by the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX).

CERA goes beyond screen-based interactions. It has functions such as storytelling to make safety information more captivating and engaging for the public. GIF: Amos Choo

CERA forms part of SPF’s outreach efforts to bolster crime prevention awareness. From its two-way chatbot that can give personalised safety messages to making customised poses for photo-taking, its interactive features make crime prevention tips more accessible and memorable to the public — and that interactivity is precisely what gives CERA its star quality.

CERA's appeal does not stop there. Its vivid physical expressions and humanoid body language add a delightfully human touch, reflecting the empathy and warmth of the SPF officers whom CERA represents. 

It was difficult not to smile at CERA dabbing after we prompted it to. Most importantly, CERA’s vibrancy serves as a reminder that behind every interaction are SPF officers who bring genuine understanding of the community’s needs.

4. Police Patrol Robots 

Less cute but no less significant are the Police Patrol Robots, which serve as an extra set of eyes and ears to enhance security in public spaces.

The Police Patrol Robots signal a more extensive integration of policing into everyday environments. GIF: Amos Choo

Equipped with advanced sensors and 360-degree camera systems, the robots navigate autonomously and boast touchscreen displays for public service announcements, automated external defibrillators that can be retrieved during medical emergencies and two-way video communication with officers upon request. The robots ensure that when it matters most, a human voice is never far away.

From 2027, SPF will expand the deployment of Police Patrol Robots to additional locations, such as more Changi Airport terminals and selected public transportation nodes.

Technology with humans at its core

In an ever-evolving threat environment, it is reassuring to note SPF’s continued emphasis on maintaining a “human-in-the-loop” approach when augmenting policing with autonomous capabilities and newer technologies.

We can’t wait to see all these technologies in action in our hood. In the meantime, catch them in action in this video.

^{Meet SPF’s unmanned force across air, land and sea. VIDEO: Amos Choo}