Articles tagged with "public-safety"
First humanoid robot 'arrested' after startling an old woman in China
A humanoid robot, the Unitree G1 model, was escorted by police in Macau, China, after startling a 70-year-old woman who accidentally encountered it while walking and looking at her phone. The incident occurred in a residential area at night, where the robot, owned by a local education center and used for promotional activities, was following the woman but unable to pass her as she stopped. The woman became frightened upon noticing the robot and expressed distress, later requiring hospitalization. Although physical contact between the robot and the woman was confirmed, she chose not to file a complaint after medical treatment. The robot was subsequently returned to its 50-year-old owner, who was advised to be cautious when operating it in public. The event, captured on video and widely shared on social media, sparked mixed reactions ranging from humor to serious concerns about the ethics and safety of humanoid robots in public spaces. This incident underscores the growing presence of humanoid robots in China, where they are increasingly deployed in roles such
robothumanoid-robotUnitree-G1robotics-ethicspublic-safetyChina-roboticsrobot-human-interactionCity Detect, which uses AI to help cities stay safe and clean, raises $13M Series A
City Detect, a startup founded in 2021 that leverages vision AI to help local governments monitor urban health, has raised $13 million in a Series A funding round led by Prudence Venture Capital. The company uses cameras mounted on public vehicles such as garbage trucks to capture images of buildings and neighborhoods, then applies computer vision to identify issues like graffiti, illegal dumping, litter, structural damage, and code violations. This approach enables cities to track thousands of problem areas weekly, a significant improvement over the manual tracking methods currently in place. City Detect’s technology also respects privacy by blurring faces and license plates and can differentiate between street art and vandalism. Currently operating in at least 17 cities including Dallas and Miami, City Detect collaborates with local governments to address urban blight efficiently, often resolving issues without citations. The company has raised a total of $15 million to date and is a member of the GovAI Coalition, SOC 2 Type II compliant, and adheres to a Responsible AI
IoTAIcomputer-visionsmart-citiesurban-monitoringpublic-safetyenvironmental-technologyRobot dogs become first responders for police at 2026 World Cup
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Guadalupe, a municipality near Monterrey, Mexico, will deploy four quadrupedal robot dogs as part of its law enforcement strategy. These robots, called the K9-X division, serve as first responders capable of entering confined or hazardous areas to assess threats before police officers intervene. Equipped with cameras, night vision, and rugged mobility, the robots can transmit live video, navigate difficult terrain, and issue voice commands to suspects, thereby reducing risks to human officers. Guadalupe’s city council invested approximately $145,000 in these units, emphasizing their non-weaponized role focused on surveillance, communication, and early threat detection. This robotic deployment complements a broader security enhancement for the World Cup, which includes increased police patrols and aerial surveillance with drones and counter-drone technology. With millions of international visitors expected and large crowds anticipated around venues such as Estadio Monterrey (formerly BBVA Stadium), authorities aim to improve situational awareness and crowd control while minimizing reactive policing
robotroboticslaw-enforcement-technologysurveillance-robotspublic-safetyautonomous-robotssecurity-technologyThe 10 top government, legal startups from Disrupt Startup Battlefield
TechCrunch’s annual Startup Battlefield competition selects the top 200 startups from thousands of applicants, with 20 finalists competing for a $100,000 prize. Among the 200 selectees, several government and legal tech startups stood out for their innovative approaches to pressing societal challenges. These include Aparti, which uses AI to automate legal intake forms specifically for family law and divorce cases, and Bot Mediation, which applies AI to streamline legal dispute resolution. JustiGuide, recognized as the winner of the policy and protection pitch stage, connects immigrants with lawyers to simplify the complex immigration process. Other notable startups focus on public safety, disaster response, and environmental protection. Ascender developed a robot capable of climbing poles to assist in humanitarian and disaster relief efforts, while Ponderosa AI uses drones to detect and control small fires, addressing wildfire risks exacerbated by climate change. Shothawk AI created a device that tracks and subdues active shooters with pepper gel, aiming to reduce gun violence in public spaces
robotAIdronesdisaster-responsepublic-safetyspatial-computingolfactory-technologyDrone milestone proves non-lethal response can neutralize threats safely
The article highlights a significant advancement in public safety technology with the development of the MERLIN-Interdictor drone by Wrap Technologies. This drone integrates the company’s BolaWrap device, which fires a Kevlar tether to non-lethally restrain armed or dangerous individuals from a distance. Successful live trials demonstrated the drone’s capability to identify, target, and safely subdue simulated armed suspects, marking a milestone in transforming drones from passive surveillance tools into active, rapid responders that can neutralize threats without lethal force. This technology is particularly promising for high-risk environments such as schools, where immediate intervention can save lives. Wrap Technologies aims to redefine non-lethal policing by providing officers with safer, more accountable tools that reduce the risks associated with traditional less-lethal methods like tasers or pepper spray, which can still cause fatalities. The MERLIN-Interdictor expands BolaWrap’s tether technology into aerial law enforcement and counter-UAS defense, with plans to move from prototype to global production. This innovation is
robotdrone-technologynon-lethal-weaponspublic-safetyaerial-law-enforcementKevlar-tetheremergency-responseTuneIn partners with FEMA to give drivers real-time emergency alerts
TuneIn, an audio streaming service, has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to deliver real-time emergency alerts directly to drivers via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). This integration allows drivers in affected areas to receive verified local, state, tribal, and federal emergency notifications, including warnings about extreme weather and natural disasters. Alerts are prioritized by severity, with minor threats triggering brief notifications and critical emergencies interrupting broadcasts with both audio and on-screen alerts. The service is available in vehicles from several manufacturers, such as Rivian, Lucid, Tesla, Sony Honda Mobility, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes, and Volvo. The partnership comes at a challenging time for FEMA, which has experienced significant staff reductions, with nearly 2,500 employees leaving between January and June 2025, including senior executives. This has raised concerns about FEMA’s capacity to effectively manage and disseminate accurate information through new channels like TuneIn. Despite these challenges, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi
IoTemergency-alertsconnected-vehiclesreal-time-notificationsautomotive-technologypublic-safetyFEMA-integration911 centers are so understaffed, they’re turning to AI to answer calls
The article discusses how 911 call centers, which are severely understaffed due to the high-pressure nature of emergency dispatch work and significant turnover rates, are increasingly turning to AI solutions to manage non-emergency call volumes. Max Keenan’s company, Aurelian, pivoted from automating salon appointment bookings to developing an AI voice assistant that triages non-urgent calls such as noise complaints, parking violations, and stolen wallet reports. The AI system is designed to recognize genuine emergencies and immediately transfer those calls to human dispatchers, while handling less urgent issues by collecting information and generating reports for police follow-up. Since its launch in May 2024, Aurelian’s AI has been deployed in over a dozen 911 dispatch centers across the U.S. Aurelian recently raised $14 million in a Series A funding round led by NEA, with investors highlighting that the AI is not replacing existing employees but filling gaps caused by staffing shortages. The company claims to be ahead of competitors like
AIemergency-responsevoice-assistantautomationcall-centersartificial-intelligencepublic-safetyU.S. government seized $1 million from Russian ransomware gang
The U.S. Department of Justice, in coordination with global law enforcement agencies from countries including Canada, Germany, Ireland, France, and the U.K., seized four servers, nine domains, and approximately $1 million in cryptocurrency linked to a Russian ransomware gang on July 24. This group is believed to be behind two ransomware strains, BlackSuit and Royal, which have targeted critical infrastructure sectors in the U.S. and internationally. The BlackSuit gang alone has demanded over $500 million in ransom, with individual demands reaching as high as $60 million, posing a significant threat to U.S. public safety. Since 2022, the cybercriminal gang has compromised more than 450 victims across various sectors such as healthcare, education, public safety, energy, and government, accumulating over $370 million in ransom payments. The seized cryptocurrency was recovered from a digital currency exchange account that had been frozen since January of the previous year. The investigation highlights ongoing international efforts to disrupt ransomware operations that threaten critical infrastructure
energycybersecurityransomwarecritical-infrastructurecryptocurrencycybercrimepublic-safetyFrom surveillance to public service: the rise of drone swarms
The article discusses the evolving role of drone swarms from primarily surveillance tools to vital assets in civil protection and public service. As climate-related disasters increase and urban environments become more complex, drone swarms—autonomous aerial systems capable of decentralized collaboration and real-time adaptation—offer faster, smarter, and more reliable responses to crises. The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of this innovation, developing AI-driven drone swarms that mimic natural behaviors to self-organize and perform tasks such as searching for survivors, mapping hazards, and assessing infrastructure damage during emergencies. Beyond disaster response, these swarms also support crisis prevention by monitoring traffic, air quality, and structural integrity in smart cities, aligning with digital governance goals like resilience and sustainability. TII’s work is closely tied to the UAE’s AI Strategy 2031, emphasizing ethical AI development and positioning drone swarms as tools for public good rather than surveillance or militarization. Despite their potential, public perception remains a challenge,
robotautonomous-dronesdrone-swarmsAIsmart-citiesdisaster-responsepublic-safetyNew smart robot fleet can take over urban policing, reforestation
robotIoTenergyreforestationautonomous-systemsenvironmental-restorationpublic-safety