Brandon Fletcher
Authorities in Cologne, Germany have taken custody of a robot accused of inappropriately groping a teenage girl. They are currently investigating whether two male teenagers were controlling the robot when the incident occurred, according to a report by the Associated Press.
The event allegedly took place during the night of October 10-11. The two suspects, aged 16 and 19, reportedly livestreamed the incident while operating the robot. Footage shared online shows the teenagers walking alongside the robot at night, where it was seen “bumping into one [woman] and hugging others.” Police allegations state that the robot touched the buttocks of a 16-year-old girl and exhibited “thrusting movements” towards her.
This robot, standing approximately 3 feet 11 inches tall, resembles a quirky blend of Iron Man and Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, which adds to its unsettling presence. Police have indicated that the actions fall under laws addressing sexual harassment, according to reports from DPA.
Christoph Bermel, a spokesman for the Cologne police, stated that investigators aim to find out if the teenagers were actively piloting the robot or if it was set to operate autonomously. The report also mentioned that emergency responders discovered the robot hidden in the trunk of a vehicle. Both the robot and the teenagers’ mobile phones have been seized by the police.
“This phenomenon is new to us,” Bermel remarked to the AP, indicating the unusual nature of the incident.
Daniel Mercer
