Humanity has long feared the day robots will inherit the earth. From Terminator to RoboCop, Hollywood has long capitalized on our fear of being replaced by cold, calculating machines.
Which is why it's so strange to see giant robots directing traffic in the Democratic Republic of Congo city of Kinshasa. Two large robots have been directing traffic in the city since 2013 with so much success that three more robots recently joined them, and another five have been sent to the southeastern region of Katanga as well.
Agence France-Presse reports the machines have been placed throughout the city of 9 million to help with ongoing traffic problems. Each robot is solar-powered, which helps power the machine's rotating body, traffic signals and cameras. The cameras allow the robots to send traffic information directly to local authorities. The robots even have names: Tamuke, Mwaluke and Kisanga. AFP reports that each robocop costs around $27,500.
The machines are the creation of Women's Technology, an association of female engineers, who say the machines are here to help.
"In our city, someone can commit an offence and run away, and say that no one saw him," Therese Izay, president of Women's Technology, tells AFP. "But now, day or night, we'll be able to see him in real time and he will pay his fine like in all the serious countries of the world."
For all intents and purposes the robots seem to be like any other traffic light, only much more foreboding. Perhaps that is the point.
"There are certain drivers who don't respect the traffic police," one taxi driver told the news ageny. "But with the robot it will be different. We should respect the robot."
It sounds like robocops might be here to say. Let's just hope these seemingly innocent traffic cops don't soon come equipped with deadly weapons.
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