German police investigate alleged sexual harassment involving humanoid robot
The 1.2-metre-tall red-and-gold robot was outside the restaurant on Hohenzollernring at around 11.45 pm when the incident allegedly occurred
German police have opened a criminal investigation after a humanoid robot allegedly made unwanted physical contact with a 16-year-old girl outside a fast-food restaurant in Cologne, with the incident recorded and livestreamed on social media.
The 1.2-metre-tall red-and-gold robot was outside the restaurant on Hohenzollernring at around 11.45 pm when the incident allegedly occurred, says First Post.
A Cologne police spokesman said: "The device allegedly touched a 16-year-old girl's buttocks and made thrusting motions against her."
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Police located the robot in the boot of a Volkswagen saloon and confiscated it, along with the mobile phones of its 16-year-old owner and a 19-year-old companion.
Investigators are examining suspected sexual harassment and seeking to establish "how the machine was operated during the incident, including whether someone controlled its movements remotely or otherwise manipulated its behaviour."
The case comes amid other incidents involving humanoid robots in public spaces that have raised concerns about personal space and safety.
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2024, a humanoid robot named Muhammad appeared to touch a female broadcaster during a technology event. Its manufacturer, QSS, said the machine had accidentally brushed her jacket while gesturing during speech, adding that "even unintended movements can cause concern when personal space is involved."
In Macau, a 70-year-old pedestrian looking at her phone was startled by a promotional robot standing directly behind her and required hospital treatment. No physical contact occurred.
The incidents have raised questions about accountability for robots operating in public and the conditions under which they should be permitted to do so.
"who is accountable for its behaviour, and under what conditions should it be allowed to operate around the public?" the source asked.
Following the Macau incident, lawmakers advocated stricter regulations for robots operating in public spaces. Proposed measures included registering machines, requiring liability insurance, notifying authorities before public promotional activities and ensuring that a responsible supervisor was present.
