A humanoid robot has been seized by police in Cologne after it allegedly touched a 16-year-old girl in an indecent manner and made sexually suggestive gestures towards her.
Investigators are examining whether the machine was remotely controlled or programmed by its 16-year-old owner and a 19-year-old companion, who are suspected of recording and livestreaming the incident on social media.
The incident took place shortly before midnight on October 10 near a fast-food restaurant on a busy nightlife strip in the western German city. Police said officers found the two men nearby after being alerted, with the robot inside the boot of a Volkswagen.
Both the robot and the suspects’ smartphones were taken as evidence. Videos circulated online appear to show the red-and-gold machine, which is around four feet tall and dressed in athletic clothing, approaching the girl from behind as she stood with two friends aged 17 and 18.
Police said the robot touched the girl’s buttocks and repeatedly made thrusting movements towards her. The two men are alleged to have filmed and commented on the encounter while livestreaming it.
One of those involved later claimed on TikTok that the robot had accidentally collided with a woman while attempting to avoid another passer-by. Longer videos appearing online, however, seem to show sexually suggestive movements after the contact with the girl.
Police investigate robot’s movements
Investigators are analysing surveillance footage and online recordings to establish precisely what happened. They are also seeking to determine whether the robot’s actions were controlled remotely, programmed in advance or carried out independently by the machine.
German media have identified the device as a commercially available humanoid robot costing about €5,000, or roughly $5,600.
The case presents a legal difficulty because Germany’s offence of sexual harassment generally requires direct physical contact between people. Legal experts told German television network RTL that this could make it harder to prosecute the robot’s owners under existing harassment laws.
Police are instead investigating suspected sexually motivated insult. Possible offences relating to the unauthorised publication of images may also be considered, but no charges have yet been brought against either suspect.
