Dubai launches ‘robocop’

The Dubai Police Department commissioned its first robot this week. The main task of the robocop is to receive reports via its touchscreen, but with the built-in camera the police can also keep an eye on citizens.

The Dubai police will deploy the robocop at shopping centers and tourist attractions. People can report and pay fines via the touchscreen. The ‘Dubai Police Robot’ can converse in English and Arabic, later Russian, French, Spanish and Chinese will be added.

The built-in camera is in direct communication with the police command center. With a future update, the system should have support for facial recognition. The robot doesn’t seem well equipped to fight crime, but the next version should be better at it.

The Dubai police are working on a three-meter-high robot that can move at 80 km/h. It should be developed within the next two years. There will also be an egg-shaped robot that warns of parking violations.