An AI-powered robot will begin to patrol a Japanese train station in order to train for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The security robot named, “Persuesbot” will begin trials at the end of November in Tokyo’s Seibu-Shinjuku Station. It has been equipped with AI-integrated security cameras capable of detecting suspicious behavior or packages which it will then report directly to the smartphones of station security staff. It will also be able to analyze body language and anticipate aggressive behavior or movements that commonly precede conflict.
The robot stands at five-foot-four-inches and travels at speeds around 30 centimeters per second. It is dexterous enough to patrol over uneven ground and navigate obstacles. The goal is for the security robot to patrol the train station between November 26 through 30 so its developers can study its movements around the station and the camera’s accuracy.
Following a number of incidents at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics voiced his concerns.
“If I had to choose just one challenge from many, it would have to be security. There are many threats of terrorism in the world. It’s not just a physical threat, but also the threat of cyberterrorism.” In response to the perceived threats, the Japanese government is considering every tool at its disposal, including robotic security androids such as the Persuesbot. If successful during the train station trials, the robot will be used as an extra layer of security for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
