Forsyth County Sheriff's Office tests out new humanoid robot, artificial intelligence
An engineering lab in Winston Salem is developing a humanoid robot that could soon be seen patrolling the streets. The robot, named Ralph Lauren, is 4.3 feet tall and weighs 77 pounds. It can walk, run and dance. Its hands can be interchanged to best suit certain movements. The University of North Carolina’s School of the Arts’ Center for Design Innovation, in collaboration with Artificial Intelligence Robotics Arts R&D, originally purchased the robot to help students in the arts. Now, Donald Sweeper, UNCSA faculty member and engineer, said the team is expanding the robot’s uses into the world of law enforcement. “How we can help the officers be more safe?” Sweeper said. “Be safe in serving warrants, be able to come to a crime scene and actually capture data that's around there, to be able to double as an officer,” Sweeper said. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is considering using similar robots in its force. Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said the department is in its initial stages of testing uses for the robot. “It's an opportunity to where we could really pour into this project,” Kimbrough said. “And let's say, you know what, as a community, let's pour into the robotic AI at the school. Let's pour into this phase and see what can we do with this” FCSO already uses artificial technology in other areas of its department. The department worked with UNCSA and Sweeper previously on developing its drones. “Several months ago, we started talking about AI, artificial intelligence. And I found that they have what is known to them as AI robotic arts,” Kimbrough said. “And so with their AI robotic arts, they had what is called a humanoid that they wanted to present to us in order to find and develop case usage for it to future develop it for law enforcement.” Kimbrough said a robot could be used for crime scene mapping and even harm prevention for law enforcement officers. The engineers also said the robot can be used for what they call “teleporting”, which is when the robot can mimic the movements of the operator using virtual reality. The robot can stay charged for a few hours. It also has sensors to avoid running into objects and can detect when a person is in front of it. Sweeper said safeguards like these are one of his biggest priorities. “It is not a replacement for a human,” Sweeper said. “The thing is, we have to remember that we're the ones who control this and make these technologies better and then fall in suit with it. When we embrace this, we work with this as a tool.” Kimbrough said he hopes FCSO continues to lean into AI and grow with this new wave of technology. “It's about evolving, creating the best environment that this office can give,” Kimbrough said.
Source: Yahoo