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A Mountain View resident was arrested last week after he had allegedly knocked over a 300-pound security robot stationed outside of Knightscope’s Mountain View office, according to police.
Police received reports of the man-on-robot assault around 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19. The suspect, later identified as 41-year-old Jason Sylvain, had allegedly knocked over one of the robots in front of the Knightscope building, and one of the company’s employees detained Sylvain until officers arrived, according to police spokeswoman Katie Nelson.
While talking to Sylvain, officers said, the man appeared to be confused, had red, glassy eyes and was emitting a strong odor of alcohol. Sylvain was arrested and charged with prowling and being drunk in public.
The incident played out in the company’s front parking lot, and Sylvain never went into the company’s building itself, Nelson said. The robot was not seriously damaged.
The egg-shaped K5 security robots, developed by Knightscope, are autonomous, unarmed and designed to patrol areas for potential threats and criminal activity. Last year, the company announced improvements to its line after a family claimed the robot knocked over its 17-month-old son while it was patrolling the Stanford Shopping Center.
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What are your rights if you are attacked by one of these robots (like the child mentioned at the end of this article)? If you disable the robot in self-defense, is that considered vandalism?
The child was playing with the robot and got knocked over while messing with it. There was no attack, just an unattended child and a mom dodging her responsibility by blaming others and trying to get paid.
I think you have bigger issues to worry about even if you don’t think you do.
You are currently very safe and not in danger of robot attacks, but if actually attacked, I’m pretty sure you can legally protect yourself
You can disable a car if it attacks you as well, or any other machine. Not sure about zombies though.
Its about as intimidating as the robots that deliver medications in hospitals. Maybe a bit faster, but I wouldn’t use the term “Rush” 😉
Funny that this article portrays the robot as a person. Words like “assault” and “scuffle” shouldn’t play a part in this, but it’s only a matter of time.
p.s. what a lousy security guard
Security robot knocked over by a drunk? I would reconsider any investment in that company…
Jason Sylvain is a hero ; kill robots ; kill robots.
Seriously, this is utterly stupid to charge a drunk guy for that… because every Friday night on Castro street, then they would be no one left.
Viva Jason Sylvain! I don’t know him but at least he din’t turn himself into an idiot / moron talking about “security” especially when snooping smartphones data… hence privacy. Those guys are dangerous peeping toms ; pervs.
Laugh about robots all you like. But they could double as drones and kill at (someone’s) will. Heck, after the machines finish taking over, they may even send one of their own back in time to kill the mother of a leader of the dwidling human resistance. And that robot could – at another time –
become Governor of California. Okay, now I am just being silly. A terminator as governor? Preposterous.
that is exactly why we should give everyone a lifetime supply of free alcohol. but i should get moer than the others because it was my idea
Can a robot be programmed to make a citizen’s arrest. Or does it have to become naturalized first?
“The robot was not seriously damaged.”
Can these robots talk? I can imagine now, the robot saying things like “It’s just a flesh wound! I’m invincible! None shall pass! ‘Tis but a scratch!”
Even though it’s unarmed, at 300 pounds it could probably do a pretty intimidating bull-rush at someone.