Police in China take hi-tech rolling robot out on patrol

In eastern China, a robot that can identify and chase suspects follows police officers as they patrol the streets in a crowded commercial district.

In a viral clip that could come straight from a sci-fi film, the spherical robot is decked out with cameras and flashing lights, and tilts and rolls around without tipping over.

The robots used by police in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, can be equipped with suppression tools such as tear gas, and are part of China’s broader efforts to deploy advanced technology to aid officers.

Authorities promote it as a tool that “cannot be smashed” and is “resilient in hostile environments” in their latest push to improve hi-tech policing.

The spherical robot, patented by the College of Control Science and Engineering at Zhejiang University, intended to solve issues facing robots with wheels and legs, Wenzhou Daily reported on Wednesday.

Wang You, an associate professor at the college, told the newspaper the device weighed 125kg (275lbs), could travel at 35km/h (22mph) and needed only 2.5 seconds to reach top speed.