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Apr 08 2005 2 Comments

Agent Artemis

In 2003, the government designated Fukuoka Prefecture as a special zone for robot research and development.

Now whatever was envisioned when the decision was made is hard to say, but I’d hazard a guess and say it wasn’t a robot being assigned as head of a police station within two years. But that’s exactly what happened on Wednesday, and in a ceremony at Hakadata Station, police chief Kikuo Mori handed the robot in question (which was already kitted out in a police hat) a letter of assignment.

artemis robot cop

Admittedly the move was part of a safe driving campaign, but the T63 Artemis was nonetheless made chief for a day. Yet worried citizens can relax, as the 157 cm robot can move independently, plus has fully functioning light and sound sensors. And perhaps crucially in the fight against crime, it has the ability to throw coloured balls at anyone it considers to be acting suspiciously. A feature that will surely deter even the most vicious villain.

Take this young female felon for example. The fear of flying balls means she’s going nowhere.

artemis robot japan

Except prison of course.

Categorized: Odd, Technology Stuff

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jason says

    4/9/2005 at 2:24 pm

    Its interesting. It’s easy to think that sci fi culture predicts the future. But really, I think, sci fi culture gives the rest of us something to think aout and thus, were a lot more likely to replicate that.
    In japan, the sci fi culture is robots, robots, and more robots….and some more robots. If anybody pioneers robots, its going to be, an is, japan. expect a gundam prototype soon. …….really

    Reply
  2. Paul says

    5/3/2005 at 10:29 pm

    I love that picture; “You’re fuckin’ nicked, mate”

    Reply

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