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Explained in plain English

What are robot 'kill switches'?

A robot 'kill switch' is a safety feature, often a physical button or software command, designed to immediately shut down a robot in an emergency. This stops all movement and power, preventing harm or further incidents. In the Cologne case, police might have used such a switch to disable the seized robot.

Stories that explain this

Robot seized after girl, 16, harassed outside Cologne restaurant

Questions this opens up

Are kill switches mandatory for robots? Who controls a robot's kill switch? What if a kill switch fails?

Related explainers

How common are public robots? 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?

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