German police seize robot that allegedly groped teenage girl on livestream

Police in the German city of Cologne have seized a humanoid robot over allegations that it sexually harassed a 16-year-old girl. The robot’s 16-year-old owner and a 19-year-old accomplice are under investigation over the incident.

Police suspect the two young men may have carried out the act through the robot and broadcast it live on social media, according to the BBC and the Associated Press (AP).

According to a police statement, the incident took place in front of a fast-food shop near the city centre on the night after Saturday, October 10. The robot, about 120 centimetres tall, approached the girl from behind as she stood with friends. At one point it touched her buttocks and made indecent movements, such as bumping against her body. Frightened, the girl screamed and moved away.

After the incident, emergency services were called and police searched the area near the scene. Officers found the robot’s owner and his 19-year-old accomplice one block away. The robot was later recovered from the luggage compartment of a car. In photos released by police, the robot is seen wearing red and gold clothing, a white vest, a gold chain and a fake black moustache.

Police suspect the two young men were filming the robot’s actions and broadcasting them live on social media at the time. They are also alleged to have commented on the incident during the broadcast. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether the robot’s movements were remotely controlled in real time or pre-programmed with specific instructions.

For the purposes of the investigation, police have seized the robot and two mobile phones used by the two suspects. The video of the incident, how the robot was operated and the social media broadcast are being examined. International media have reported that no formal charges have been brought against them so far.

The incident has raised new questions about the use of robots to behave indecently toward people and about who is responsible in such cases. How German sexual harassment law applies to an act carried out through a robot has also become an important legal question. Investigators are examining the nature of the incident and the roles of those involved.

Meanwhile, Cologne police have issued a warning about some comments spreading on social media about the incident. Authorities said that mocking the victim or trivialising the incident could have serious consequences and, in some cases, could be treated as a criminal offence.