Investigation Underway in Germany Over Robot Involved in Alleged Sexual Harassment

Berlin — A humanoid robot has been confiscated by German police following allegations that it behaved inappropriately towards a 16-year-old girl. The robot allegedly touched the girl indecently and exhibited sexually suggestive behavior. Authorities are investigating if the robot’s actions were directed by two young men who reportedly livestreamed the incident in Cologne on social media.

The event occurred on October 10th, just before midnight, near a fast-food restaurant in a vibrant nightlife area of Cologne, according to a Monday police statement. Online videos appear to show the girl with two friends, aged 17 and 18, when a red-and-gold robot, sporting athletic attire and standing about 4 feet tall, approaches her from behind. The videos and police reports suggest the robot touched her buttocks and made thrusting motions.

The robot, owned by a 16-year-old male, was filmed and livestreamed by him and his 19-year-old companion. The authorities, upon being alerted, found the two young men nearby. The robot was located in the trunk of a Volkswagen, and police seized both the robot and the young men’s smartphones as evidence.

The robot is identified as a commercially available model costing around 5,000 euros, approximately $5,600. One of the involved individuals claimed on TikTok the robot inadvertently bumped into a woman while dodging another pedestrian. However, extended video footage online indicates the robot’s suggestive actions persisted following contact with the girl.

Investigators are examining surveillance and online footage to piece together the sequence of events. They aim to determine whether the robot was remotely controlled, pre-programmed for certain movements, or acted independently.

This case presents complex legal issues. In Germany, the offense of sexual harassment typically requires direct human contact. Legal experts explained to RTL that charging the robot’s owners under current harassment laws might be challenging. Consequently, the investigation is proceeding on suspicion of a sexually motivated insult with potential violations regarding the unauthorized release of images. No formal charges have been filed against the suspects yet.

This incident prompts challenges for law enforcement as humanoid robots become more accessible to individuals, raising questions about accountability when machines are involved in potential crimes.