Police in Cologne, Germany, have seized a humanoid robot after it allegedly touched a 16-year-old girl’s buttocks and made thrusting movements against her outside a fast-food restaurant.
The incident reportedly occurred late on Saturday, October 10, 2026, when the teenager was standing with friends outside the restaurant. According to police, the approximately 1.2-metre-tall red-and-gold robot approached the girl from behind and carried out the alleged actions.
The robot’s 16-year-old owner and his 19-year-old companion are suspected of filming the incident, livestreaming it on social media and making comments as it happened. Footage circulating online reportedly shows the girl screaming and moving away from the robot.
Police were alerted to the incident and subsequently located the two suspects near the scene. The robot was found in the boot of a Volkswagen car, where the owner allegedly concealed it. Officers seized the robot and two mobile phones as part of their investigation.
Authorities are examining how the robot was operated at the time and whether its movements were deliberately controlled. The suspects are being investigated over the alleged incident, which police are treating as a case of suspected sexual harassment.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
