NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The New York Police Department has a new joiner in their fleet and it is a Knightscope K5 security robot.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently introduced the K5 robot which has been leased directly from the manufacturer Knightscope, per ABC7.
What does the newly unveiled K5 robot do?
The K5 robot weighs 400 pounds and is expected to patrol the Times Square subway station at night.
For the first two months of its operation, a uniformed police officer will accompany the robot police to answer questions from curious onlookers. The 'robocop' will then patrol solo during the holiday season.
The state-of-the-art robot is fitted with several cameras and two-way communication. It also has a panic button which distressed commuters can use to alert the police.
The robot is touted to have the ability to deter crimes in the subway station. It is capable of facial recognition and listening but both will be turned off to avoid intrusion.
Mayor Adams said, "While I believe it is our duty to utilize state-of-the-art technology advancements to help keep New Yorkers safe, I believe we must do it wisely and not intrusively.”
Gushing about the K5, Adams added, “We’re committed to exploring innovative tools to continue to make this city the safest big city in America, and this robot K5, it has the potential to serve as an important tool in our toolbox,” per New York Post.
NYPD Transit Division Chief Michael Kemper further explained, "We are taking an expensive camera network in the subway system and adding to it — supplementing to it, if you will — and adding a series of cameras that not only moves but a device that can connect subway riders to immediate assistance if the need arises.”
This is, however, not the first time that a robot has been introduced for patrolling in America.
The 'suicidal robot' of 2017
In 2017, another security robot from Knightscope was hired to patrol the shopping and office complex of Georgetown Waterfront in Washington Harbour in DC for $7 an hour.
But before it could complete its job, it rolled down to a nearby fountain and drowned itself, reported New York Magazine.
Earlier, the New York Police Department had deployed another ‘Robo-Dog’ in their fleet. But the robot was called back before its reintroduction in April 2023.
Crime rate in New York subway
Crime rates soared in New York City during the pandemic.
However, the introduction of drones and robots has finally started paying off. Till March 2023, the crime rates has decreased by 22% as compared to the same period in 2022.
It is also 41% below the crime rate of 2020, reported New York Post.
Eric Adams trolled for Times Square robot while ignoring 'migrant crisis'
While it remains to be seen whether the newest member of the NYPD can bring down the crime rate of the big city, as of now, it has split the Internet.
One netizen prophesied the dire end of such 'security' robots, saying, "Thugs are already destroying robots across the country. Get your popcorn ready for NYC robot cop destruction vids."
Someone else reminded Adams of the 2017 robot "taking a swim," even as they chastised him for not doing more about the migrant crisis.
Their tweet read, "It's concerning to see resources being allocated to security robots while significant challenges like the migrant crisis remain unresolved."
The tweet continued, "While innovation has its place, it's crucial to prioritize the most pressing issues that affect people's lives directly. The history of that robot taking a swim is quite the metaphor for misplaced priorities."
Plenty of users found the introduction of the robot humorous at best.
Someone quipped "I'm sure that will stop the criminals," while sharing a meme.
Someone else thought of a probable prank done on the robot, "The pranksters will have a field day with it. “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”"
Another netizen chimed in hilariously, "I’d appreciate and feel more confident with #K5, if he looked like….."
"They couldn't even get R2-D2 right! It looks kinda like a plastic Dalek," commented a netizen with keen eye.
"I hope they have plenty of insurance on that thing. It'll have no effect. American cities are run by the law of the jungle - $12k down the toilet, (plus it's repair costs)," said someone else.
Another user highlighted the migrant issue saying, "So NYC has budget for a Times Square robot but can't address the migrant issue? Seems like misplaced priorities to me."
