The first object it will guard are metro stations
The New York City Police Department has unveiled a new robot that will patrol the city’s subway stations. It’s called K5, and the first site it will guard is the Times Square station, reports Engadget.
The robot weighs 190 kg. and it has 4 cameras that shoot 360 video but no audio. K5 will patrol the night from midnight to 6am.
The first two weeks will be limited duty, during which time he will map and familiarize himself with the station, patrolling key areas. After that, it will begin to tour the platforms themselves, and the trials should last at least two months.
The robot is from the company Knightscope and is described as “funny, eye-catching, photogenic and respectful of people’s personal space”. The police and the company did not describe exactly what the robot’s activities will be, and whether an operator will monitor its cameras live or whether they will analyze the situation and issue a signal only when necessary.
Authorities say it will be able to record video to be reviewed in the event of an emergency or crime. There will be no facial recognition technology. The robot also has a button that citizens can press to be connected in real time to an operator to report or ask questions.
The robot is currently available for rent, costing $9 per hour of use. If the tests are successful, the police may purchase several. Earlier this year, the New York City Police Department bought two robot dogs to be used in emergency situations.
Photo Source: New York City’s K5 Police Robot / Knightscope / Business Wire
