Robotcop III Set to Fight Crime in Hong Kong

Roland Piquepaille writes "There is a new cop patrolling the streets of Hong Kong and teaching children how to prevent crime. But it's a robot named Robotcop III, designed and built in Hong Kong, according to Channel Newsasia. Robotcop III can walk, dance, move in any direction, display videos and answer questions asked in Cantonese and English. The previous versions of Robotcops, introduced in 1988 and 1995, were imported from the U.S. and taught 800,000 school children how to fight crime. The promoters of Robotcop III hope it will do even better. More details and references are available in this overview including a photo of Robotcop III patrolling on Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) campus."

Japan is protected.

[Channard]

I wonder if it pushes criminals down the stairs, and subsequently says they fell? Mind you, given the lack of legs on the robot, running down stairs is a sure fire way of avoiding the robot if they ever decide to convert this from a show and tell to an ass-kicking 'bot.

There's no mention of...

[Channard]

.. how they'd stop it being vandalized. Presumably it's not so good to have a cop that needs protecting itself, escorting around and generally stopping people spray-painting it etc. I wonder how much dried gum this guy accumulates?

Re:Yep, they're out of ideas

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm pretty sure he means that the romanticizing of the gangster lifestyle is draining the two communities.

Not to mention that the gangsta attitude is being picked up by some kids outside of the black community.

Three observations.

[Matrix2110]

Did anybody notice the cute radio and nightstick in its "Belt?" I am guessing these a non-functional for obvious reasons. Like I would want a nightstick wielding robot coming after me for RIAA transgressions.

I can also say with certainty that this thing is controlled via a human. After seeing T3 would you want it any other way?

Also the most creepy thing. Take a close look at its "Nose" where the camera is. Now take a closer look and think twenty years from now, I see a gun in that place. Almost looks like it now.

Shudder.

Re:Yep, they're out of ideas

[Anonymous Coward]

there are "modern street gangs" in america that operate similarly to the old time mafia. funny enough, they are chinese. in the san francisco bay area, the chinese mafia effectively controls illicit gun sales and marijuana importing. they have some weight in cocaine as well, but nowhere near the capacity of their marijuana enterprise. the reason nobody ever hears about these groups is unlike the old time mafia who enjoyed spotlight, these groups operate in complete secrecy. for instance, if a lower member (usually a dealer) is arrested with possession, his car will be torched and he is kicked out of the gang. this prevents 'snitching' because the ex-gang member no longer has access.

as for rappers, a lot of rappers are gangsters, because the vast majority of rappers are nowhere near being 'popular' or having lots of money. again, looking at the bay area, there are many gangsta rappers who are involved with local street gangs (basically people representing their block). i use the word gangsters, but these "modern street gangs" as you call them are not really "gangs" and they dont see themself as in a gang. they are usually just friends who happen to share a mutual interest in criminal activity.

Dance?

[Anonymous Coward]

Is it some sort of benchmark for robots that they can dance? Its seems every new robot out there dances.

Re:Yep, they're out of ideas -- B.S.

[Anonymous Coward]

It is you who is mistaken.

Policing HK has become a nightmare.

Our police forces are very much in control.

The police are hardly in control. The police are corrupt, bought and paid for by the gangs. Those police who are not corrupt are not in a position to effect any change.

That crime seems to be low is precisely because most of it is organized.

The Chinese mafia has essentially taken over the islands

The only people hiding in the Islands are probably illegal immigrants from mainland China.

The "Islands" obviously refers to all the islands in the HK group. IOW, anything not connected to mainland China.

and controls crime and legitimate business

wtf? *Legit business? You're smoking crack. Hong Kong is a city with a International fame and has close links with businesses from all over the world. Surely you don't mean those businesses deal with thugs here?

I would say exactly that. That organized crime in HK has its hand in many pies. Hong Kong is an economic powerhouse because of the political environment which fosters a very free economy. Like the Yakuza in Japan, the gangs of HK lean heavily on business in Hong Kong.

from the top rungs of society down to the street gutters.

Street gutters perhaps. Top of society, no. Frankly, I've never come in contact with any gangsters before.

I could be flippant and call into question your societal status, but I'm not going to do that.

The fact of the matter is that in everyday life, most people will never encounter a gangster, much less a leader of a gang. These people are reclusive, and they make their influence known through their underlings who may or may not be as educated as the leaders. The best and brightest are promoted to the upper rungs of the organization while the dumber workhorses are kept on the street for their strongarm abilities.

There is no major crime problem here.

Open your eyes. Dig below the surface.

btw, I live in Hong Kong

That is irrelevent.

I saw the 1st one

[AmVidia HQ]

I was in HK elementary school, and I remembered the day the cops did their speech along with the cute robot. There were trivia games, and I remembered I got some duotangs and goodies. Those were the days ^.^

I think things like these are great. Real human sized robots really catches attention of kids and leave a lasting impression. This should be an example for all to follow: the deeper an impression you leave, the more effective you are in educating and getting your point across.

Re:Can it navigate stairs

[CriX]

Can it fight crime???

How is this total dumbass robot supposed to do anything but get its ass kicked by punk kids?? Seriously, it would be better to send a human police officer to schools to teach kids about crime prevention. Then again, this robot may get the kids attention better, but as for actualy fighting crime, this robot couldn't stand a chance.

*In a robot voice barely audible with all the gunfire*:

Please stop shooting that person. Come back. Please come off the curb and back onto the street. I am a dumbass robot and can't move over any obstacle over two inches because I have wheels and a long plastic skirt. You have the right to ....

hah.