A five-foot tall,Farmer’s Wife: Handle with Care! Part 1: Angel Advent (2021) 400-pound robot with four surveillance cameras just got fired from its security job. Right before Christmas.
The San Francisco animal welfare non-profit, SF SPCA, rented the 'bot to roam its parking lot and grounds, ostensibly in response to a recent burglary. But to the dismay of neighbors, the SPCA also let the robot patrol the public sidewalk outside the property.
Now, after being sent a deluge of threats, Ars Technicareports the SPCA has pulled the plug on its robot... for now.
SEE ALSO: The latest surveillance robot is designed to patrol rough terrain (and fight crime)The SPCA rented its robot from Knightscope, the security startup that made headlines earlier this year when one of its robots drowned itself in a pool at Washing D.C. mall. While private businesses are certainly free to deploy security robots on private property, these surveillance machines generally aren't allowed to patrol public spaces -- like the local sidewalks in San Francisco's Mission district.
The city had already warned the SPCA to keep its security robot off of neighborhood sidewalks.
According to a letter obtained by the San Francisco Business Times, last week the city's Department of Public Works (DFW) told the SF SPCA to keep its robot off of the sidewalks "without a proper approval."
Still, it seems the Knightscope robot could return to its wandering ways if the DFW grants the animal welfare organization a permit to monitor these public walkways. Mashable has contacted the DFW about what conditions a business -- or anyone, really -- would be allowed to deploy a security robot in a public space, and will update this story upon hearing back.
According to the San Francisco Business Times, the SPCA used the robot to deter a homeless encampment from setting up tents on the sidewalks adjacent to the building and parking lot, where discarded needles and bikes made it all the more difficult to walk. In response, apparently some members of the encampment covered the Knightscope robot in a tarp and lathered its sensors with barbecue sauce.
Knightscope offers four different security models that vary in their mobility, but each contains sound sensors and cameras. The SPCA specifically rented KnightScope's "K5" model, which is "best suited for securing large outdoor spaces," according to the KnightScope website. The K5 is just over five feet tall, weighs in at 400 pounds, and has four cameras.
These relatively new robots are still learning their way, so folks can certainly be wary of the slow-moving, though rather imposing robots. In 2016, a KnightScope K5 robot ran over and injured a toddler at a mall in California.
Topics Privacy Innovations
Previous：Operation Mensch
Next：Against Fear
This fat bear's before and after photos are stunning
LG StanbyMe portable monitor: Get it for $896.99
Best AirPods deal: Save $50 on AirPods Pro 2
Google pulls Gemini from its iOS search app, driving users toward standalone AI app
Best iPad deal: Save $132 on Apple iPad (10th Gen)
Best Garmin vívoactive 5 deal: Save $70 at Best Buy
Apple iPhone 16e doesn't have MagSafe, but there's a fix
Twitch streamers' uploads, highlights capped at 100 hours
This fat bear's before and after photos are stunning
Best tablet deal: Get the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE for 36% off at Amazon
5 Ways to Access a Locked Windows Account
Best Samsung deal: Save $230 on Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
DOGE dividend checks: What Elon Musk said, how real they actually are.
Best Kindle deal: Save 22% on a Kindle Paperwhite Kids at Amazon
Best iPad deal: Save $132 on Apple iPad (10th Gen)
Apple iPhone 16e doesn't have MagSafe, but there's a fix
NYT mini crossword answers for February 21, 2025
Best monitor deal: Get $350 off the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor at B&H Photo
NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for May 18: Tips to solve Connections #237
Some UFOs may be hidden from our national leaders
China unveils detailed steps to stimulate private sector · TechNodeEvergrande New Energy Auto sees a total loss of $11.8 billion in 2021, 2022 · TechNodeFoxconn’s EV platform unit targets India, Thailand to produce small EVs · TechNodeNio to create clay models for first budget car in August · TechNodeNetEase Youdao unveils voice tutoring large language model · TechNodeGeely’s EV brand Zeekr enters the Kazakhstan market · TechNodeBertelsmann Investments commits $700 million to Chinese startChinese tech giants place $5 billion orders with Nvidia for generative AI chips · TechNodeDouyin generates RMB 100 billion in local services sales in H1: report · TechNodeChinese tech giants donate over RMB 370 million to aid floodBMW initiates development of L3 autonomous driving in China · TechNodeChina greenlights 88 domestic games in July · TechNodeHuawei cooperates with Xiaohongshu to extend terminal mobile services · TechNodeHuawei collaborates with China's JAC to build $140K luxury van: analyst · TechNodeFoxconn in talks over new $200 million plant in India · TechNodeGeely set to begin export of Zeekr EVs in midChina asks tech giants to showcase startup investments · TechNodeLi Auto aims to surpass BMW, Mercedes, and Audi in sales in China by 2024 · TechNodeOppo turns its iconic green logo black · TechNodeTesla to cut prices in Hong Kong · TechNode Future iPhones won't have a charging port The key to getting gender equality in the Constitution may be ... memes? Kendall and Kylie sloppily put their faces over dead musicians in the name of fashion 'Sense8' creator announces 2 Oreo is taking (and making) flavor suggestions, including avocado These adorable engagement photos prove you're never too old to find love Why a company is recycling old coffee grounds to make bed sheets Pride posters slated for focusing on straight people Japanese airline apologises after it made disabled man crawl up stairs to his flight Prank videos: How did things go so wrong Fidget spinners can explode into flames Cry of the week: Kumail Nanjiani's 'The Big Sick' Tweetstorm reveals why Google pulled the YouTube app from the iPhone How disability rights activists are fighting the GOP health care bill A biohacker named Meow Amazon and Whole Foods could finally convince skeptics to buy groceries online Sick of nightmarish flight neighbors? This airline lets you bid on the seats near you Facebook News Feed change cracks down on spam and fake news 2007 gave us the iPhone, and also a lot of pop culture insanity Sports stories that already lit up the internet in 2017
2.338s , 10130.2734375 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Farmer’s Wife: Handle with Care! Part 1: Angel Advent (2021)】,Unobstructed Information Network