Anti-Homeless Robot Deployed in San Francisco

 

Anti-Homeless Robot Deployed in San Francisco

Written by Jake Anderson

(ANTIMEDIA) — As the homeless problem continues to surge in San Francisco, an animal advocacy and pet adoption clinic has taken the novel, if dystopian, approach of hiring an autonomous security robot unit to clear out vagrants. The SPCA (the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) deployed a K5 robot manufactured by Knightscope, a Silicon Valley-based robotics company, to help discourage homeless people from erecting tents on the sidewalks and streets near the clinic. Though it has reduced the number of encampments, the robot has drawn overwhelmingly negative reactions from city residents.

Resembling a Whovian Dalek, the K5 security robot moves at around three miles per hour and is equipped with four cameras and an array of lasers, thermal sensors, and GPS. It can be rented for $6 an hour as opposed to the $16/hr a security guard costs.

Representatives for the SPCA say homeless encampments were making the area dangerous for staff members.

“Over the summer our shelter was broken into twice. The inside was vandalized and property and cash donations were stolen,” S.F. SPCA spokesperson Krista Maloney remarked. “Furthermore, many staff members and volunteers have filed complaints about damage to cars and harassment they experienced in our parking lot when leaving work after dark. We currently employ security guards, but we have a large campus and they can only be in one area at a time.”

Bill Santana Li, CEO of Knightscope, which has 19 clients in five U.S. states, also defended the use of the robot, calling it an effective crime deterrent.

“If I put a marked law enforcement vehicle in front of your home or your office, criminal behavior changes,” he said.

Despite its efficacy, many have criticized the move, calling it draconian and even dystopian.

 

Anti-Homeless Robot Deployed in San Francisco

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