The first robot cop will be patrolling the streets of Dubai starting this week. Dubai has come to be known as a very technologically-advanced society, so the fact that it is the first to employ a robot cop is certainly apt. After all, the city will be the first with a fully-operational Hyperloop. However, this early RoboCop doesn’t sound anything like the movie by that name.
Robot cop unveiled at GISEC
Dubai Police showed off their robot cop on Sunday at the Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC), reports Gulf News. It rolls around on wheels and stands about 67 inches tall and weighs approximately 220 pounds. It certainly seems like the direction in which techies want to see artificial intelligence go, as it reportedly can recognize various gestures and even detect facial expressions and use this information to deduce how a person may be feeling. The robot cop can also change its own expression and use various greetings, in addition to shaking hands and even giving military salutes.
But there’s more to the artificial intelligence in this robocop, as it will reportedly be able to use its facial recognition software to identify people the police are seeking and catch offenders. It can also broadcast live video, enabling officers at the Dubai Police headquarters to watch what’s happening around it. Additionally, the robot cop is able to receive and transmit messages and comes with a tablet built right in so that people can pay fines and report crimes to the human police officers.
Dubai Police want many more robot cops
While this is just the first robot cop, by 2030, officials want up to 25% of Dubai’s police force to be robots. They also emphasized that for now, the robot can only report crimes and isn’t capable of arresting people despite its many functions. However, police in the city are working with Spain-based PAL Robotics to develop a model that can perform all of the law’s functions, including arresting offenders.
The robocop hits the high-density areas of Dubai on Wednesday after patrolling GISEC through Tuesday night. It speaks nine languages, which should come in handy for the first phase, which involves making it available at tourist attractions and shopping malls in the city. The robot cop is part of Dubai’s efforts to build a city capable of generating half its power, according to RT, which includes police stations that are manned fully by robots.
