Perth Voice Interactive

A PLAN to employ security robots to patrol Stirling’s crime hotspots has been shelved for now, but councillor Joe Ferrante says after he reworks the idea, “I’ll be back”. 

Cr Ferrante introduced the idea in August, suggesting they import four-wheeled robots named “Xavier” that had been used in Singapore.

They were first deployed for a trial in 2021, patrolling the streets and using artificial intelligence to analyse video feeds so they could alert a human operator to tune in if they detected suspicious behaviour. Humans can then attend the scene, or just admonish the lawbreakers through the two-way communication system attached to the bots.

Singapore used them to target smoking in prohibited areas, scooters on footpaths, and people gathering in groups (which was in breach of Covid-19 rules at the times). They’re now used in Changi Airport to “augment” human police patrols.

Cr Ferrante had wanted staff to investigate whether they could be trialled to patrol hotspots in Stirling.

But at the November 21 meeting, staff suggested not to spend employee hours undertaking a full investigation and assessment, given the many complications around the bots.

Their interim report said that as a result of Singapore’s use of Xaviers “privacy concerns were raised over the use of autonomous mobile robots to capture footage. 

“Other world-wide trials have resulted in similar concerns with autonomous mobile robots having been kicked, punched, tipped over and generated negative comments regarding government over-reach.”

Suspicious

Because the robots need humans to look over any suspicious footage and attend some incidents in-person, “this would require support from the City’s Community Patrol Service, hence likely affecting the number of officers in the field”.

After reviewing the report Cr Ferrante withdrew the idea for now, but said “I’ll rework it… I’ll be back.”

“With Xavier,” mayor Mark Irwin suggested.

by DAVID BELL