New York City is set to transform public safety with the debut of “K5,” a police robot hailed as a valuable asset for law enforcement duties in Times Square, one of the city’s busiest underground hubs.
Weighing over 180 kilograms and standing approximately 1.63 meters tall, this futuristic law enforcement officer was unveiled by Mayor Eric Adams, alongside representatives from the New York City Police Department (NYPD), who are pinning their hopes on the potential advantages it can bring to the city.
Manufactured by Knightscope, “K5” is described as a “fully autonomous outdoor security robot.” Thus far, similar models have been deployed at airports, casinos, hospitals, and shopping centers.
Monitoring the Times Square subway station presents a fresh challenge for “K5,” but this mechanical entity boasts features that will assist in its mission. The robot is equipped with four cameras capable of recording high-definition videos from a 360-degree perspective, thereby bolstering its ability to combat criminal activities. Furthermore, it possesses an emergency button that, when pressed, emits alert sounds and connects to the subway’s Wi-Fi network.
However, it has been clarified that “K5” will neither employ facial recognition technology nor record audio. Nonetheless, during the midnight shift, from midnight to 6 a.m., the robot will be accompanied by an NYPD officer.
Mayor Adams has introduced “K5” as a cost-effective option, with an approximate hourly rental cost of $9. In the past, the New York City mayor had urged city agencies to reduce their budgets by 5%. Mayor Adams pointed out, “The investment in the robot is below the minimum wage. There are no breaks for going to the bathroom or eating,” underscoring its affordability.
Richard A. Davey, President of New York City Transit, confirmed that 4 million passengers utilized the Times Square subway station every day from Tuesday to Thursday, marking a weekly record in over three years. This indicates a resurgence of activity in the area following the pandemic period. Consequently, the mayor believes that employing technology for law enforcement is an optimal alternative for fulfilling his promise of reducing crime in the Big Apple.
Privacy advocates in New York remain doubtful about the implementation of the police robot and the measures introduced by Mayor Adams, asserting that they are out of touch with the city’s realities.
In May, the Legal Aid Society called upon the Inspector General of the NYPD to investigate the use of surveillance technology, claiming that it violated the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology Act. This act mandates transparency regarding the use of technologies and the types of data collected.
Albert Fox Cahn, President of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, expressed concerns that “K5” might eventually employ facial recognition technology on citizens.
“If the mayor believes there aren’t enough cameras in Times Square, then he’s more out of touch than I thought. It’s more like surveillance theater,” Cahn remarked.