New York City Mayor Unveils Robotic Cop to Enhance Subway Safety
Published: 23:10 BST, 22 September 2023 | Updated: 00:05 BST, 23 September 2023
New York City’s busiest subway station is now home to a cutting-edge crew member – an impressive 400-pound robocop recently unveiled by NYC Mayor Eric Adams. The mayor emphasized the city’s commitment to exploring innovative tools to ensure the safety of its residents, stating that the robot, named K5, has the potential to serve as a vital asset in their efforts.
Developed by Knightscope, a California-based autonomous security robots developer, this advanced robocop is equipped with four cameras capable of recording video and can move at a pace of 3mph. The plan is to have it roam alongside a human officer at the Times Square – 42 street subway station for a two-week trial period. Subsequently, it will be patrolling the mezzanine level of the station for two months.
Despite Mayor Adams’ claims of successful crime reduction, statistics reveal a significant increase in various crime categories compared to the previous year. Acknowledging the need for additional measures, the robot, created by Knightscope, aims to contribute to the city’s overall safety strategy. With its video recording capabilities sans sound and its speed of 3mph, it stands ready to tackle the rising crime rates in New York City.
The cost of employing this robocop is a remarkable $9 an hour, which Mayor Adams considers cost-effective, even below minimum wage. The K5, as it is affectionately known, will be patrolling the Times Square subway station during the midnight to 6am shift.
This robot marks just one of the various technological advancements that New York City is incorporating in its mission to fulfill Mayor Adams’ promise of crime reduction. April saw the robot’s initial launch alongside a robotic police dog designed to handle hazardous situations. Although concerns about facial recognition abilities have been raised by privacy advocates, Mayor Adams clarifies that the robot’s primary focus is on license plate reading rather than real-time facial recognition.
Importantly, the robocop includes a button that allows subway riders to connect with a live person 24/7 to address any questions or report incidents they may encounter. Mayor Eric Adams believes that these robotic recruits will not only save lives but also serve as a powerful deterrent against criminal activities in the bustling metropolis.
However, opinions among New Yorkers regarding the introduction of robocops into their daily lives differ from Mayor Adams’ stance. On Twitter, one resident expressed their dissatisfaction, stating a preference for fully funded libraries and schools rather than expensive toys for the NYPD. Others have described the robots as dystopian surveillance technologies.
Following the two-week trial period at the subway station, the robot will transition to patrolling the mezzanine level of the station for a two-month duration. It will not be present on subway platforms, focusing solely on enhancing safety and assisting subway riders with questions or incidents that may arise.
As crime rates continue to surge in New York City from 2020 to 2023, Mayor Eric Adams firmly believes that the introduction of these robots will help deter criminals in the city. However, the New York City Police Department’s annual crime report reveals a daunting reality, with figures showing an increase in virtually every category, contrasting the mayor’s repeated assertions of success in addressing the issue.
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