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German police have seized a humanoid robot and two mobile phones as part of an investigation into the alleged sexual harassment of a 16-year-old girl in Cologne, after the incident was reportedly livestreamed on social media.
The incident took place outside a fast-food restaurant in the city center during the night of Oct. 10-11, according to Cologne police, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The robot, approximately 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) tall and colored red and gold, allegedly approached the girl from behind, touched her buttocks and made sexually suggestive movements.
The girl was standing at the intersection of Palmstrasse and Hohenzollernring with two friends, aged 17 and 18, when the incident allegedly occurred.
The robot's 16-year-old owner and his 19-year-old companion reportedly recorded the encounter and streamed it live on social media. Footage circulated on TikTok appeared to show the robot lunging toward the girl and pressing its body against her as she screamed and moved away.
Police said the two suspects livestreamed the incident and commented on what was happening during the broadcast.
After receiving a report, officers located the suspects near the intersection of Magnusstrasse and Hohenzollernring. During their investigation, police found the robot inside the trunk of a Volkswagen car belonging to one of the suspects. The robot had reportedly been placed there by its 16-year-old owner, who had traveled from Wegberg, Germany.
Officers seized the robot and two mobile phones belonging to the suspects as evidence.
Cologne police are investigating how the robot operated during the encounter and whether someone deliberately controlled its movements remotely.
The criminal investigation unit is examining the possibility that the robot's actions were intentionally directed by a person.
Authorities said the case is being investigated on suspicion of a sexually motivated insult, while inquiries into how the robot was operated remain ongoing.
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