The new Indonesian police

And the future described by fiction is shown once again. Imagine walking down the street and encountering a police officer who does not feel afraid, does not blink and does not rest, in Indonesia, this futuristic scene became reality, the country has just launched a police force made up of manual robots and but robots ready to patrol the streets, hunt down drug traffickers and even control riots. A demonstration of how technology is taking control of public safety, but also raising an alarm about how far we can trust machines with so much power, of course, those who follow me here know that this type of scene at this very moment is just a glimpse of how things are going to be from now on. These robots are not yet capable of working without human supervision, but they are already true walking surveillance platforms dressed in official uniforms and good black, they walk, run, wave and occupy positions that would normally require trained humans. Some have advanced facial recognition systems capable of identifying suspects in crowds, while the but robots named I-k9 detect drugs, explosives or dangerous chemicals in risk areas. All this is coordinated by a mixed AI and human center that collects data in real time, feeding a patrol network that covers everything from the chaotic traffic of Jakarta to the most remote areas where drug trafficking is hidden.

The idea is simple.

Using the relentless precision of machines to reduce human error, robberies are controlled remotely, but also have some autonomy for basic tasks, in more delicate operations such as bomb disposal or landfill negotiation they act as safe extensions for officers, keeping human lives out of immediate danger.

To avoid critical failures or misuse, this unit goes through rigorous testing and can be deactivated remotely in case of emergency, an extra layer of control for a system that mixes AI, censors and constant surveillance. This trend is not exclusive to Indonesia, the thefts are of Chinese origin and of course, there they also patrol airports and large events.

In Dubai, humanoids already serve naturists in police stations and monitor commercial areas. In the United States, robots defuse bombs and patrol public buildings, and now Indonesia joins that list of countries that are betting on automation to strengthen the fight against crime, especially in a nation famous for its zero tolerance for drug trafficking.

In theory, tireless machines can free up human agents for more strategic operations and save lives in extreme situations, but it's not all applause, as these metallic policemen gain space, serious questions arise. Are we really prepared to give up part of our privacy in the name of security? And who guarantees that facial recognition systems will not be used abusively?

The entire world observes experiences like these to understand where the line is between protection and total surveillance, on the one hand, the promise of safer streets with machines that do not rest, on the other, the fear of living under the tireless gaze of cameras and sensors that do not forget. Could it be that the future of public safety really lies in legions of robot police or are we giving up more than we should in exchange for a sense of control?