Police in Germany have seized a humanoid robot after a 16-year-old girl was allegedly groped outside a fast-food restaurant in Cologne.
The girl was standing with her friends on Hohenzollernring, a busy street in central Cologne, when a red-and-gold robot approached her from behind and allegedly touched her inappropriately, according to a report by the Daily Mail. The incident reportedly took place late on Sunday night and was filmed and livestreamed on social media.
Police seize robot, mobile phones
The incident reportedly occurred around 11.45 pm on Sunday. The robot, which was approximately 1.2 metres tall, allegedly approached the teenager while she was outside the restaurant with her friends. The robot’s owner, a 16-year-old boy, and his 19-year-old companion are suspected of filming the encounter and providing commentary during the livestream, according to media reports.
The incident has prompted a police investigation into how the robot was operated during the alleged assault. The teenager subsequently alerted the police, who reached the area and located the individuals allegedly involved in the incident. Police in Cologne reportedly found the robot inside the boot of a Volkswagen car following the incident. Officers seized the machine and two mobile phones as part of their investigation. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the robot was controlled and whether it was deliberately directed towards the girl.
Investigation Underway
Further details about possible charges or legal action had not been independently confirmed in the reports available at the time of writing. Police have seized the robot and the mobile phones reportedly linked to the incident. The investigation is expected to establish how the alleged assault took place and who was controlling the machine at the time.
