Skid steer modified into riot control vehicle

**Jon** · Mar 28, 2017, 12:38 PM

There's no pretty way to break up a protest gone bad. This machine is interesting because it's essentially (though not entirely) a portable and flexibly-deployable wall, which can serve to non-violently contain violent protests. It's also a very creative use of a skid steer.

The cutting edge of roboticized law enforcement is fascinating, though obviously controversial and occasionally disturbing. Some more examples:

Anbot, a new Chinese robotic policeman.

Anbot weights 165 pounds, stands at 4ft 9, and can reach 11 miles per hour. It can also perform face recognition. It's been deployed as the first working robot at China's Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport.

Watch out! Anbot has its own taser!

There's a similar model available from Knightscope, an American company founded in 2013 in response to the Boston Marathon and Sandy Hook tragedies. Knightscope manufactures robots that "provide a commanding but friendly physical security presence".

Here's Knightscope's robot keeping a watchful eye over humans engaging in public recreation:

If you prefer corrections-style robotic police, here's a South Korean robotic prison guard:

Both the Chinese Anbot and Knightscope's friendly little fellow don't really look very imposing. It's like the first sentence in the design specification was: "Don't make it look like RoboCop!" It's extremely clear that these bots are heavily marketed as friendly, helpful, non-violent, bringers of peace in society.

However, if you think Anbot and Knightscope's robot look like R2D2's happy-go-lucky but intellectually-challenged cousin, you might prefer TeleBot. Telebot is more of a tele-presence bot, designed to be remotely controlled by a police officer. Telebot doesn't look like such a friendly fella, but it's cleverly marketed as a solution for disabled police officers.

Come here and give 'ol Telebot a hug!