RoboCop made it happen in the movies, and he also made it in slot machines at Vulkan Vegas, but are real robot cops even possible? If so, how soon will we see robot cops patrolling the streets?
It is happening now, and there are several countries adopting robots to patrol their streets. Artificial intelligence technology has made leaps and bounds, and what we saw in movies in the past is becoming a reality.
In the coming years, many companies shall have a reasonable and working prototype for robot cops. At best, we have seen robots disarming bombs — and these are remotely operated. Soon, there will be robots patrolling the streets, recording what they see, and even fighting crime.
Robots can also save lives, and many countries support them because they can help reduce the sacrifice of the lives of those in law enforcement.
Dubai
Dubai is one of the pioneers of implementing robots for law enforcement. The robot can speak multiple languages, which is just appropriate because the country is a tourism magnet. The robot can also do some common things that one would expect from a human cop, like greet, salute, and scan faces.
What makes this robot unique is that it can recognize hand gestures and also answer questions. The robot cop started out as an android-looking creation that rolls on wheels.
Today, the robot can accept applications from visitors, monitor security entrances, and recognize faces. It was a useful tool during the pandemic, as it could provide services without exposing the officers to the virus.
South Korea
South Korea is taking a different approach by combining robotics with human police. Recently, the country revealed its plans to use high-end armour to make its police officers look like Iron Man. Some say they look like Storm Troopers.
The country is also planning to deploy robotic dogs, and the whole plan can take 30 years. The robot police will patrol not just the real world but also the metaverse.
The “Iron Man Police,” as dubbed by the media, is a project where real humans would wear robotic armour to give them the advantage of mechanical strength. The technology is set to jumpstart by 2027.
Japan
Japan’s version of a robotic cop is called Kokobo. This robot can patrol the streets, catch thieves, and also provide peace and security. Right now, this robot is doing patrol work as a security guard.
Kokobo can travel at six kilometres per hour. Kokobo can catch suspicious people, patrol roads, and also remove obstacles from roads that can be deemed as a hazard.
Another police robot currently deployed is the airport security version. The robot does not look human, and it is the SQ-2 model made by Seqsense. The robots can detect collisions and prevent them from happening.
These robots have predetermined patrol routes and onboard cameras and provide help to people in the airport who need assistance.
India
Meanwhile, the first robot police took an oath. Named KP-Bot, it is a humanoid-android that has the rank of sub-inspector, and it is reporting g for duty at the Kerala Police Station.
One weird thing about this robot is that it is gendered. It is a woman, according to the Assistant Deputy Police.
Today, people who visit the Kerala Police Headquarters will receive a greeting from this robot. The robot will direct the people where they need to go, and it is currently stationed at the front reception area of the police station.
USA
It is not a surprise for the USA to deploy a robot or any kind of machine to do the work. The country has been at the forefront of technology for many years.
In 2021, the New York City Police Department launched a robot dog — a model called Spot, which was developed by Boston Dynamics. The nickname of this robot is Digidog.
The robot has already served in a real hostage situation, but it received public backlash instead of praise. Some people complained that the robot was too expensive, and others said that it was a threat to their civil liberties.
In that hostage situation, Digidog brought food for the hostages. On some occasions, the police also used a robot dog to scout areas to see if there was a gunman.
The fear of many people is the possibility that these robots are weaponized and that the authorities can abuse them. They also fear that this robot can evolve and eventually make independent decisions that are not typical of a real human police officer. Today, there are even petitions to stop their use.
Some companies are also gearing up, making robots that have powerful AI — so powerful that it will eventually have the capacity to predict crime.
Are robot cops a good idea? To some, the implementation of robotic cops signals the arrival of a dystopian world where people will no longer have privacy. To others, it is a boon, as the police force will have a new breed of disposable machines — people no longer have to do menial work or put their lives at stake.
