TTD Plans Robotic Dog to Prevent Human-Animal Conflicts on Tirumala Hills

Tirumala, August 22: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is planning to deploy an advanced robotic dog to strengthen wildlife surveillance and help prevent human-animal conflicts in the forested areas of the Tirumala hills. The initiative is aimed at improving the safety of pilgrims, particularly those using the Alipiri-Tirumala footpath, where devotees travel through forest areas to reach the hill shrine. The robotic dog is expected to help authorities detect the movement of wild animals and provide early warnings to security and forest personnel.

TTD officials recently examined the capabilities of the robotic system during a demonstration at the Sri Padmavathi Guest House in Tirumala. The quadruped robot is equipped with artificial intelligence, optical and thermal cameras, 360-degree LiDAR and multiple sensors that allow it to navigate difficult terrain and monitor its surroundings.

The system can operate during both day and night and is designed to identify humans, animals and other moving objects. Its thermal imaging capabilities could be particularly useful for detecting wildlife in darkness or areas with limited visibility. Once an animal is detected, the robotic dog can transmit live video and thermal images to a monitoring centre. It can also provide location-based alerts, allowing officials to assess the situation and respond before the animal comes close to pilgrims.

TTD is also examining whether the robot's sound and lighting systems could be used to discourage wild animals from entering areas frequented by devotees. The objective is to maintain a safe distance between people and wildlife without unnecessary physical intervention. The Alipiri-Tirumala footpath is expected to be an important area for such surveillance. The route passes through forested terrain and is regularly used by pilgrims travelling on foot. Early detection of leopards and other wild animals could give authorities additional time to alert devotees and deploy trained personnel.

The proposed robotic surveillance system will work alongside existing measures, including camera traps, surveillance cameras, forest patrols and security teams. Rather than replacing personnel, the robot is expected to provide an additional mobile surveillance capability that can be used in areas that are difficult or risky for humans to access.

The move comes as TTD continues to strengthen its efforts to manage wildlife-related risks around Tirumala. Better monitoring could also help authorities understand animal movement patterns and identify locations where wildlife activity is more frequent. The key benefit of the technology would be faster detection and response. If successfully deployed, the robotic dog could provide authorities with an additional tool to monitor the hills while supporting efforts to protect both devotees and wildlife.

The proposal also highlights TTD's growing use of technology to address challenges associated with managing a major pilgrimage destination located within a forest ecosystem. The effectiveness of the robotic dog will ultimately depend on its performance in Tirumala's terrain and how effectively its data is integrated with existing wildlife and security operations.