German police have seized a robot after it allegedly touched a 16-year-old girl inappropriately and made thrusting motions against her outside a fast-food restaurant in Cologne. The incident was reportedly livestreamed on social media, with the robot’s owner and another person suspected of filming the encounter.The Cologne Police have launched a criminal investigation to establish how the robot was operating and whether someone was controlling its movements remotely. Officers are also investigating possible sexual harassment offences.
Robot allegedly approached girl from behind
According to a report by the Daily Mail, the incident took place on Sunday on Hohenzollernring, a busy street in Cologne. The 16-year-old girl was standing outside a fast-food restaurant with her friends when a red-and-gold robot, measuring around 1.2 metres in height, allegedly approached her from behind.Police said the robot touched the girl’s buttocks and made thrusting motions against her. The encounter was reportedly filmed and streamed live on social media.The robot’s 16-year-old owner, who is from Wegberg, and his 19-year-old companion are suspected of filming the incident and providing commentary while it was taking place.
Police find robot hidden in car boot
Police were alerted shortly after the alleged incident. Officers later located the individuals near the intersection of Magnusstrasse and Hohenzollernring.The robot was found hidden in the boot of a Volkswagen car. According to police, its teenage owner had placed it inside the vehicle before officers arrived.Officers seized the robot along with two mobile phones belonging to the suspects. The devices are expected to form part of the investigation as police examine what happened and how the robot was operated.
Police probe possible sexual harassment
Cologne Police are investigating the incident on suspicion of sexual harassment. Investigators are also trying to establish whether the robot’s movements were deliberately controlled by a person.“The criminal investigation department is now examining how the robot was functioning at the time of the incident and whether someone was deliberately controlling its movements,” police said in a statement, according to the Daily Mail.The police statement also confirmed that the robot and two mobile phones had been confiscated as part of the investigation.The circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the robot was controlled and the role of the two individuals suspected of filming it, remain under investigation.
