BERLIN, German — German police have launched an investigation into two young men suspected of using a humanoid robot to sexually harass a 16-year-old girl in the western city of Cologne, prompting questions about the misuse of robotics and responsibility for actions carried out by machines.
Police seized the red-and-gold robot after it allegedly touched the girl’s buttocks and made thrusting movements towards her outside a fast-food restaurant near Cologne’s city centre shortly before midnight on Saturday, October 10.
The incident occurred as the girl stood with friends, according to police. She reportedly screamed and moved away from the robot.
Investigators suspect the robot’s 16-year-old owner and his 19-year-old companion filmed the incident, streamed it live on social media and commented on what was happening.
The two men have not been charged, but are being investigated as suspects, according to the Associated Press, which cited Cologne police.
Authorities are examining whether the robot was deliberately controlled remotely or whether its movements had been programmed in advance.
Robot found hidden in car
Police said emergency services were alerted shortly after the incident. Officers located the two suspects a short distance away and discovered the robot in the back of a car, where its owner had reportedly placed it.
Authorities confiscated the machine and seized two mobile phones belonging to the suspects as part of their investigation.
The robot stands approximately 120 centimetres (3 feet 11 inches) tall. Images released by Cologne police showed it wearing a white vest, dark trousers, a gold-coloured chain and a black fake moustache.
Police are reviewing available video footage to establish precisely what happened, how the robot moved and the extent of the two suspects’ involvement.
Cologne police spokesman Christoph Bermel told the Associated Press that authorities had not previously encountered this type of incident, describing it as unfamiliar territory for investigators.
Videos raise questions about robot control
Footage circulating online reportedly shows two young men accompanying the robot along a busy street and interacting with groups of women.
In some clips, the robot appears to approach women, make physical contact and perform inappropriate gestures. The footage is being examined alongside other evidence as investigators attempt to reconstruct the events.
A central question is whether the robot’s movements were deliberately directed by its operators or resulted from programmed behaviour.
German media reports have indicated that the device can operate autonomously while also performing learned movements. Investigators have yet to establish how it was operating during the alleged incident.
The distinction could be important in determining the role played by the two suspects and whether their actions meet the threshold for a criminal offence.
Police warn against mocking the victim online
In a follow-up statement posted on Facebook, Cologne police warned social media users against making inappropriate comments about the incident.
The force said some online reactions could cross the line and, in the worst cases, amount to criminal offences.
The warning came as footage of the incident circulated online, attracting attention to the robot and the circumstances of the alleged harassment.
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Authorities cautioned against treating the incident as entertainment, particularly given that the person allegedly targeted is a minor.
The police warning underscores concerns that sharing videos or making jokes about alleged sexual harassment can compound the harm experienced by victims.
Scrutiny of technology and accountability
The investigation highlights questions about accountability when robots or other remotely operated devices are allegedly used to harass or harm people in public spaces.
Although the case involves a machine, investigators are focusing on the conduct of the people suspected of operating it and the circumstances in which the alleged contact occurred.
The case also raises questions about how autonomous functions, remote controls and preprogrammed movements can be used in public environments without adequate safeguards.
However, police have not yet established whether the robot was deliberately directed to touch the girl or whether its movements were generated by another mechanism.
For now, the robot and the seized phones remain part of the evidence being examined as investigators seek to establish what happened and determine whether charges are warranted.
The two suspects remain under investigation, and the allegations have not yet been tested in court.
