specs (what it is, what it does.) important part of robot

what needs further explaining to users to get most benefit from it (useful info for user) / what to focus on for narrative/storyboard

• Function
  • Records video but not audio. No facial recognition but will run crime footage through facial recognition unit like any other surveillance clip
  • Button press - connect them to a live person to report an incident or to ask questions
  • Cannot pursue nor physically or verbally apprehend suspects
  • physical deterrence to future crime
• How to locate one / tracking where it will be (will be roaming and going back and forth to recharge)

“K5, a fully autonomous outdoor security robot”

Weight: 5’2-5’3

Height: 400-420lbs

Made by Knightscope (California based)

The 5-foot-2-inch robot, which weighs about 400 pounds, is weatherproof and capable of capturing 360-degree video. It sports four HD cameras with wide-angle lenses, as well as an infrared thermal camera. "It will record video that can be used in case of an emergency or a crime," Adams said.

Pilot Program

The shining new camera on wheels is part of a pilot program that will run for two months, the heads of the MTA and NYPD explained Friday. Officers trained on how to use K5 will accompany the robot through the station. The robot will not be on the platforms.

Upon completion of the pilot program, Adams says the robot's effectiveness will be examined and the city will decide its best use.

Once the pilot is complete, the robot is expected to patrol the station’s mezzanine level.

Crime (video, button)

What it can do:

"It will record video that can be viewed in case of an emergency or a crime. It will not record audio, and it will not use facial recognition. However, the K5 does have a button that connects you immediately to a live person that New Yorkers can utilize 24/7 with questions, concerns or to report an incident if needed," the mayor explained.

Adams said the bot, which does have a license plate reader, does not have any real-time facial recognition tech and any video collected would “adhere to the same guidelines as that any other technology in the NYPD’s current toolbox.”

When a button is pressed to call for assistance, the robot issues a series of beeps and then says: “This call may be recorded for your safety.” It will connect to the Wi-Fi network in the subway.

Police policy would allow cops to use images from the droid’s video recording of a potential crime suspect to run through its facial recognition unit, similar to any other surveillance clips collected by police.

The only real-time help it can provide people is to connect them to a live person to report an incident or to ask questions, provided they're able to press a button on the robot.

The bot will serve as a roaming surveillance system, recording video using its 360 HD camera for cops to review following a crime.