The New York Police Department (NYPD) employs drones and robotic dogs for their operations. Currently, New York City plans to utilize a new kind of robot for subway station surveillance.
Mayor Eric Adams announced in a press conference that the Knightscope K5 Night Security Robot will conduct a 2-month trial at the Times Square subway station to compensate for the declining number of law enforcement personnel. This robot will capture video for potential emergency or crime review, emphasizing that it won't record audio.
A five-foot (1.5 meter) tall outdoor K5 security robot patrols the grounds of the Washington Harbour retail-residential center in the Georgetown district of Washington, DC July 26, 2017.
There's A New Robot In Town
Knightscope claimed that the K5 is a "fully autonomous outdoor security robot" used in various places. Armed with four cameras, the robot records video without audio and does not employ facial recognition. Despite the city's budget constraints, the leasing cost averages around $9 per hour.
The robot will begin its pilot run by mapping the Times Square station for two weeks and will be accompanied by a human officer from midnight to 6 a.m. During this time, it will not patrol the platforms but will serve as a "mobile camera" for straphangers to call for help.
This introduction of technology aligns with the resurgence of subway ridership in New York City after a pandemic-related slump. Mayor Adams, who supports enhancing law enforcement with technology, previously observed law enforcement drone use during a trip to Israel.
Privacy advocates remain cautious, as previous requests were made to investigate surveillance technology use, citing concerns about potential facial recognition integration.
Despite skepticism, the K5, while unable to complete a half-heart sign like Mayor Adams due to its lack of arms, can serve as a "physical deterrence." It is weatherproof, travels at up to 3 miles per hour, and offers 360-degree HD recording and audio messages.
When a call for assistance is made, the robot issues a series of beeps and states, "This call may be recorded for your safety." It will also connect to the subway's Wi-Fi network. Concerns about its durability in the subway environment have been raised, particularly if it were to be pushed off the platform without brakes to stop itself.
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Are Robots the Future of Police Force?
The use of robots in law enforcement, including the potential for lethal force, has sparked public debate and ethical considerations. San Francisco initially approved robots for incapacitating violent criminals but later faced public outcry, leading to restrictions on their use. Globally, countries like China and South Korea are exploring robotics in policing.
Benefits of using robots in law enforcement include reducing danger to human officers in high-risk situations. Robots can conduct negotiations, such as in hostage scenarios, and gather information through sensors and thermal imaging. They can also employ non-lethal tactics like deploying sleep-inducing gas.
However, ethical concerns arise. Predictive policing, which relies on historical data, can perpetuate biases and unfairly target certain communities. Facial recognition software often struggles with dark-skinned individuals, potentially leading to misidentifications. In large gatherings or protests, robots might use excessive force, such as rubber bullets or tear gas, on innocent bystanders.
Robots lack human judgment crucial in policing, making complete replacement of human officers improbable. Concerns also center on the overuse of robots when human officers could suffice.
Regulatory oversight is crucial to ensure responsible robot deployment and safeguard against potential misuse. While robots can enhance law enforcement, maintaining checks and balances is vital to balance safety and ethical considerations.
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