Two young men are under investigation after a robot allegedly groped a 16-year-old girl in Cologne.
A bizarre and disturbing incident in Cologne, Germany, has sparked a police investigation after a humanoid robot allegedly touched a teenage girl inappropriately and made sexual movements toward her. The robot's suspected owner, aged 16, and his 19-year-old companion allegedly filmed the encounter and broadcast the entire scene live online.
Police quickly seized the machine along with the suspects' phones. Investigators are now working to determine whether the device was being piloted remotely in real time or running pre-programmed actions. Neither suspect has been formally charged, according to reports from the Associated Press.
Police Seize Robot After Alleged Livestreamed Incident
The encounter took place shortly before midnight on Saturday, October 10, outside a fast-food restaurant in Cologne. The 16-year-old victim was standing with two friends when the red-and-gold humanoid robot suddenly approached the group.
According to police, the robot touched the girl's buttocks and made thrusting motions against her while the two young men livestreamed and commentated on the stunt.
Officers tracked down the suspects nearby shortly after the incident was reported. They discovered the robot tucked inside the trunk of a Volkswagen and confiscated both the machine and two smartphones.
The device stands roughly 4 feet tall and was dressed in an absurd outfit consisting of a white tank top, black sweatpants, sunglasses, and a gold chain. Clips of the encounter have since circulated across social channels, igniting backlash and renewed debate over emerging tech in public places.
Cologne police confirmed they are investigating the situation under German law on suspicion of an offense categorized as an insult of a sexual nature. Both teenagers remain suspects as detectives piece together the evidence.
Investigators Examine How the Robot Was Controlled
The central question for authorities is whether the robot was being driven manually in real time or executing programmed movement routines. Technical specialists are analyzing both the seized mobile devices and stream archives to map out the robot's commands.
The case has also triggered broader concern regarding how accessible humanoid robotics should be in crowded public areas. While walking bots and consumer robotics are growing in sophistication, this marks an unprecedented legal test for local law enforcement.
Cologne police spokesman Christoph Bermel told the Associated Press that local authorities had never encountered a situation like this before, noting that the case represents entirely new territory for investigators.
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