Germany: Police launch investigation into robot that 'sexually harassed'

Police in Germany are investigating an alleged sexual assault by a humanoid robot programmed by two young men, after it allegedly approached a 16-year-old girl and touched her buttocks in the city of Cologne. The incident was recorded and broadcast live on social media. Authorities are examining whether the robot was pre-programmed or remotely controlled.

Police in Germany have launched an investigation into an alleged sexual assault after a humanoid robot, programmed by two young men, allegedly approached a 16-year-old girl and touched her buttocks. The incident occurred in the city of Cologne, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany, in the late hours of Sunday. According to police, the robot's owner (aged 16) and his friend (aged 19) documented the alleged assault and broadcast it live on social media. The girl was outside a fast-food restaurant between 11:45 PM and midnight (local time), together with her friends aged 17 and 18. According to police, the robot – about 1.20 meters tall – approached the girl from behind and pressed against her buttocks. Emergency services were called to the scene, located the suspects, and found the robot in a car trunk. Authorities seized the robot and the mobile phones of both suspects. In video footage circulating online, the robot, wearing a white vest, gold chain, and sunglasses, is seen approaching women on the street and performing movements of a distinctly sexual nature. Authorities are now examining whether the robot's movements were pre-programmed or deliberately controlled during the incident.