Cologne Police Seize Robot in Harassment Investigation

Cologne police have seized a humanoid robot and two mobile phones as they investigate two teenagers on suspicion of sexual harassment after an alleged incident involving a 16-year-old girl outside a fast-food restaurant. The allegations have not been independently established, and police are examining who controlled the robot. Police said the robot allegedly approached the girl from behind and touched her buttocks while making thrusting motions. She was outside the restaurant with friends in Cologne, Germany, according to the police account. Reports place the incident shortly before midnight, but the police statement as relayed in the reports does not establish the allegations as proven. The teenagers under investigation are the robot’s 16-year-old owner and his 19-year-old companion. Police said they seized the robot and two mobile phones belonging to the teenagers. The investigation is being conducted on suspicion of sexual harassment, police said. A central question for investigators is whether someone deliberately controlled the robot’s movements during the alleged encounter.