A prototype robot was first unveiled at the GITEX annual computer and electronic trade show at the Dubai World Centre in October, 2016. PHOTO: DUBAI MEDIA OFFICE
The autonomous Robocop entered the line of duty on Sunday by greeting guests and patrolling the halls at the three-day Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference. The uniformed bot is set to hit the streets in popular Dubai areas when the expo ends on Tuesday evening.
The Robocop rolls around on its wheels and can salute, bow and speak in multiple languages. It also has a tablet fitted in its chest which civilians can use to report crimes.
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Designed by Dubai police with assistance from IBM’s Watson and Google, the Robocop is tasked to look after small tasks rather than serious crimes, according to Brigadier-General Khalid Nasser Al Razouqi, Director of the Smart Services Department for the Dubai Police.
Check out the #Dubai Police Robot #SCEWC16 #SmartCityExpo #SoundOn pic.twitter.com/9TUDvsoqMl
— Tom Gray (@TomGrays) November 17, 2016
“We are aiming to implement many smart police mechanisms, including a smart police station and robots, and adopt artificial intelligence,” he said in March. He also added that by 2030, Dubai will have the first smart police station which won’t require human employees.
Speaking during a presentation, Director of the Future Shaping Centre of Dubai Police Brigadier Abdullah Bin Sultan said, “We are looking to have more robots in the future to handle policing. By 2030, we are keen to make robots around 25 per cent of the total police force.”
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This move may result in a real leap in terms of digitalised policing. However, it remains to be seen what impact it has on the overall security situation.
This article originally appeared on The Next Web.
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