Could ‘robo-cops’ replace some traffic police roles in China?

SINGAPORE – From Hangzhou to Shenzhen to Xinjiang, “robo-cops” took to the streets over China’s five-day May Day break to direct traffic and detect rule infractions in busy areas, as millions of people travelled across the country. Part of a national push to deploy advanced robotics in all aspects of public life, this is the latest showcase of China’s burgeoning humanoid robotics industry. Since May 1, a squadron of 15 wheel-mounted humanoid traffic robots were stationed at major intersections in the southern tech hub Hangzhou, including those around the scenic West Lake. Painted in fluorescent yellow, they were seen in…