German Police Seize Robot After Alleged Groping of Girl in Cologne

A 16-year-old girl was with friends in Cologne when a humanoid robot allegedly approached her from behind. NDTV described the machine as red and gold, about 1.2 metres tall, and placed the incident outside a fast-food restaurant.

The robot allegedly grabbed her buttocks and made thrusting movements toward her, according to a police statement reported by News18. The allegation concerns both the physical contact and the actions of whoever controlled the machine.

Reports differ on the precise setting. nu.nl placed the incident in a fast-food restaurant, while Times of India said it happened outside, shortly after midnight.

On October 12, Deutschlandfunk reported that Cologne police were investigating possible sexual harassment involving a robot and a 16-year-old girl. nu.nl said the alleged incident had happened on Sunday.

Coverage that day identified two suspects. According to La Nacion, police were investigating teenagers aged 16 and 19 over an alleged assault carried out using a humanoid robot and broadcast live on social media.

On October 13, RT en Español reported that emergency services had located those involved after receiving an alert and found the robot in a car boot. Authorities confiscated the machine.

The question of control remained unresolved. The Telegraph reported on October 13 that police had seized the robot and were examining whether the two young suspects had been operating it.

By October 14, police were describing the investigation as "new territory for us", according to The Independent. The outlet also reported that the alleged assault had been livestreamed.

The robot has been seized, and German authorities are investigating possible sexual harassment, according to CBS and South China Morning Post. The supplied coverage does not report charges or a completed finding about the suspects' involvement.

Some reports describe the robot as controlled by the two young men. Others, including The Independent, frame their control of the machine as a question detectives are investigating. That distinction matters: the alleged contact has been reported, but responsibility for directing it remains under examination.

The next substantive finding is whether examination of the seized robot establishes who operated it during the alleged assault. The Telegraph identifies that as a focus of the inquiry. The supplied reports do not give a timetable for the examination or a decision on charges.