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How common are public robots?

Robots are becoming more common in public spaces, from delivery bots to security guards and even service robots in restaurants. This incident highlights a growing challenge for law enforcement and legal systems as they grapple with how to apply existing laws to the actions of increasingly sophisticated and sometimes remotely controlled machines.

Stories that explain this

Robot seized after girl, 16, harassed outside Cologne restaurant

Related explainers

What crime did the robot commit? What if a robot turns violent? What if the robot is autonomous? Who pays for robot damage? Who regulates robot safety? Who is responsible for robot actions? Can a robot commit a crime? What are robot 'kill switches'?

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