Dubai: Dubai Police on Sunday ‘inducted’ the first intelligent robotic police officer to engage with residents and tourists on the city’s streets.
The world’s first operational robot policeman was officially inducted at the opening of the 4th Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC).
The autonomous robocop, standing 170 centimetres tall and weighing 100 kilogrammes, is equipped with an emotion detector which can recognise gestures and hand signals from up to 1.5 metres.
The robocop can also detect a person’s emotions and facial expressions — whether the individual is happy, sad, or smiling — and has the ability to change his expression and greetings accordingly to put people at ease.
When patrolling the streets, the robocop which harnesses Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and the latest smart technologies, can use its facial recognition software to help police officers identify and catch offenders, as well as broadcast live video feeds to Dubai Police’s command room. “With an aim to assist and help people in the malls or on the streets, the robocop is the latest smart addition to the force and has been designed to help us fight crime, keep the city safe and improve happiness levels,” said Brigadier Khalid Nasser Al Razouqi, General Director of the Smart Services Department at Dubai Police.
He said that the launch of the world’s first operational robocop “is a significant milestone for the emirate and a step towards realising Dubai’s vision to be a global leader in smart cities technology adoption.”
“We are looking to make everything smart in Dubai Police. We are aiming to implement many smart police mechanisms, including the smart police station and robots, and adopt artificial intelligence. He has many skills including the capability to map the insides of a building and navigate its path automatically via its self-control and drive feature,” Brigadier Al Razouqi added.
Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, head of General Security in Dubai, opened the show and the co-located Internet of Things Expo (IoTx), which run until May 23 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
The robocop will patrol the halls of GISEC until Tuesday evening before taking on high-density areas of the city.
With a built-in tablet device, people can complete smart police services through robocop using credit cards for payments, resulting in an enhanced customer service experience. robocop can also transmit and communicate in six languages, including Arabic and English.
“He can chat and interact, respond to public queries, shake hands and offer a military salute.”
The robot’s integrated system will allow it to be linked to various social media channels, such as Twitter, as well as artificial intelligence systems, mobile applications and websites, among others.
“Robots and autonomous machines are shaping and redefining our future and transforming the way we function. Technological advancements are enabling robots to talk, see, feel and react to objects and humans. The age of the robots is no longer coming; it has arrived,” said Trixie Loh Mirmand, Senior Vice-President, Exhibitions and Events Management, DWTC.
