Archive · 21 Aug 2026
TTD Evaluates Robotic Dog for Wildlife Monitoring Around Tirumala
Officials in Tirumala are testing a robot shaped like a dog.
They want to use it to watch for wild animals near areas visited by devotees.
The robot has cameras and sensors that can work in darkness and fog.
Its computer system can identify animals, people and vehicles.
If it notices wildlife, it can send the location and live pictures to officials.
This may help warn devotees and guide forest, security and vigilance teams.
Officials are also checking whether the robot’s lights and sounds can keep animals away from pilgrim areas.
TTD has not confirmed final deployment and will first assess how well the robot works in the forest.
TTD officials reviewed a quadruped robotic dog for wildlife surveillance in Tirumala’s forest areas.
The robot uses optical and thermal cameras, 360-degree LiDAR, multiple sensors and artificial intelligence.
Its AI can classify large animals, humans, vehicles and domestic animals in conditions such as darkness or fog.
Wildlife detection could trigger geo-tagged alerts and live video and thermal feeds for control rooms and patrol teams.
TTD says the robot would supplement existing camera traps, foot patrols and forest surveillance, pending further assessment.
- Who
- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Additional Executive Officer Ch Venkaiah Chowdary and other temple officials.
- What
- TTD reviewed a robotic dog for possible wildlife monitoring and devotee-safety operations.
- When
- The review took place on Thursday; one report carried an Aug. 21 dateline, but no year was specified.
- Where
- At Sri Padmavathi Guest House in Tirumala, with possible monitoring in forest stretches adjoining the Alipiri-Tirumala footpath.
- Why
- To improve real-time wildlife monitoring, provide earlier warnings to devotees and support rapid responses in difficult or hazardous terrain.
- Organization
- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, the custodian of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple
- Technology
- A quadruped robotic dog with optical and thermal imaging cameras, 360-degree LiDAR, multiple sensors and artificial intelligence
- Detection
- The AI can classify large animals, humans, vehicles and domestic animals
- Alerts
- The system can send geo-tagged alerts and stream live video and thermal feeds to control rooms and patrolling staff
- Priority area
- Forest stretches adjoining the Alipiri-Tirumala footpath
- Potential deterrence
- Officials examined whether the robot’s sound and light units could non-physically deter animals from pilgrim areas
- Deployment status
- Under evaluation; the robot would supplement rather than replace camera traps, foot patrols and forest surveillance
