24 September 2023 , 13:55
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A police robot is set to patrol train stations on wheels in a dystopian bid to keep people safe and will be used as a "reminder technology is watching folks."
The Knightscope K5 Security Robot will be located at the Times Square Subway Station in New York City. Offices will have to undergo training on how to use the robot and Mayor Eric Adams said the robot will not use facial recognition or take audio recordings, but uses video in the event of a crime.
The robot is the product of a trial programme that will run for the next two months. It will not be used on the station platforms, but can accompany officers in the station and also autonomously patrol the area.
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Mayor Adams claimed the robot costs just $9 a day (Erik Pendzich/REX/Shutterstock)"It will record video that can be viewed in case of an emergency or a crime. It will not record audio, and it will not use facial recognition," the mayor said according to NBC. "However, the K5 does have a button that connects you immediately to a live person that New Yorkers can utilize 24/7 with questions, concerns or to report an incident if needed."
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Mayor Adams boasted about the lease the city had on the new technology, which he claims costs New Yorkers just $9 an hour.
"$9 an hour… $9 an hour. I know you wanted to write how we're wasting money, but I'm sorry I'm taking your thunder away. We're leasing at $9 an hour," Mayor Adams said of the kit that weighs a whopping 420 lbs.
At the end of the trial period, which begins next month, the city will determine if it was effective enough to be used in the future. The NYC Transit President said the robot is a "reminder technology is watching folks" because CCTV cameras "are hidden or not obvious for criminals."
The robot can accompany an officer, but will autonomously patrol the area (NDZ/STAR MAX/IPx)"If you come here and damage K5 or commit any crime in the subway system, prepare to be identified and arrested," said Chief of NYPD Transit Michael Kemper. He added: "It's fitting that we are near the theatre district, because today K5 is taking center stage: welcome to New York City, K5 and welcome to the NYPD."
Subway crime has fallen in the past year, but staggering numbers show it is still 50 per cent higher than it was four years ago. Despite this, Mayor Adams attempted to assure citizens that the use of new technology would try and help prevent crime, but not be intrusive.
"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," he said.