Gardens by the Bay to Enhance Accessibility with Robot Guide Dogs, AI Headsets, and Sensory Maps

Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay is rolling out a series of new technologies aimed at improving accessibility for visitors with disabilities, including a robot guide dog service, AI-powered headsets, and an online sensory map. These initiatives, announced on March 22, 2026, by National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat, underscore the attraction’s commitment to inclusivity.

Robot Guide Dogs for Independent Navigation

By the third quarter of 2026, visitors to the Flower Dome with visual impairments will have access to a robot guide dog developed by local company RoamAssist. The robot, equipped with a handle, is programmed with the layout of the Flower Dome and will guide visitors to key plant highlights. It will provide audio descriptions and instructions for using a tactile guidebook, as well as detect and navigate around obstacles.

Mr. Ong Boon Keat, 45, who is blind, tested the robot guide dog on March 22 and expressed his enthusiasm. “In the past, I had to rely on family or a volunteer guide,” he said. “But with this, people with visual disabilities can enjoy the tour on their own… The dog can not only lead me to the garden that I aim for, but it can also narrate and describe the plant to me.”

AI-Powered Headsets for Plant Identification

Development and testing of an AI-powered headset, created by local start-up AiSee, will begin in the first quarter of 2027. The headset will use cloud-based artificial intelligence to identify plants in the Flower Dome when prompted by a voice cue, relaying the information to the user via audio. This technology aims to provide a docent-like experience, answering questions about the surrounding flora.

Online Sensory Map for Neurodiversity

An online sensory map, co-developed with St Andrew’s Autism Centre, will be launched in June. This map will identify potential sensory stressors – such as noise, light, and smell – in different areas of the Gardens at various times of the day, allowing visitors with autism and their caregivers to plan their visits accordingly.

Supporting the Enabling Masterplan 2030

These accessibility improvements align with Singapore’s Enabling Masterplan 2030, a national roadmap launched in 2022 to support persons with disabilities and promote their inclusion in society. The development of the robot guide dog and AiSee is supported by the Enabling Lives Initiative Grant, funded by the Tote Board and managed by SG Enable.

Volunteerism and Expansion

Gardens by the Bay has seen increasing volunteer involvement, with over 1,000 youth participating in programs like sensory tours since 2025. A partnership with Youth Corps Singapore aims to engage 3,000 youth volunteers by 2028. These efforts are taking place as the Gardens prepares to expand with the 5ha Wetlands by the Bay, slated to open in stages from the complete of 2028.

Gardens by the Bay welcomed approximately 16 million visitors in 2025. According to Felix Loh, Chief Executive of Gardens by the Bay, “As a People’s Garden, we believe nature should be accessible to all. By leveraging technologies such as AI to support greater independence for persons with disabilities, we hope to create a more inclusive society where everyone feels welcomed and empowered.”