-The Star filepic
KUALA LUMPUR: A study is underway to see the viability of using robots in crime fighting efforts.
City police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain (pic) said the robots could be used to help boost police presence in the city.
"Perhaps we can install community elements into it. It’s not such a sophisticated thing because nowadays you see robots being used at nasi kandar restaurants too," he said when met at a community policing event in Taman Bukit Cheras here on Saturday (June 24).
While the idea was still in the conceptual phase, Comm Shuhaily said Kuala Lumpur Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department head Senior Asst Comm Beh Eng Lai had recently visited a robotic factory for this matter.
"I think it’s high time that the police engaged technology, even basic technology, to facilitate policing and the community.
"It will also have to function appropriately according to the context and location.
"The robots stationed at a mall will have to act differently from those at the housing estates or airports and all these have to be taken into consideration," he added.
A planned "conditioning session" for a robot was in the works, to be held at a Kuala Lumpur based shopping mall, he added.
