Cyborg 1.0: Thai Robocop patrols streets with 360° eyes, live face-tracking power

Surveillance gets smarter

The robot, named “AI Police Cyborg 1.0,” made its debut during the Songkran festival in Nakhon Pathom province. Developed collaboratively by Provincial Police Region 7, Nakhon Pathom Provincial Police, and Nakhon Pathom Municipality, this Robocop-style unit is equipped with advanced surveillance and threat detection technologies.

AI Police Cyborg 1.0 uses onboard AI to immediately process and analyze data by integrating real-time data from aerial drone footage and local CCTV networks. Rapid reaction coordination is made possible by the robot’s in-built 360-degree smart cameras, which are immediately connected to the province’s Command and Control Center and backed by video analytics software, according to The Nation.

The robot’s facial recognition capabilities enable it to recognize people who have been marked as high-risk or wanted. Its technology can identify and locate people in busy event locations by analyzing a variety of visual clues, such as gender, body shape, clothing, and face features. Additionally, the robot is taught to recognize offensive activities, including fighting, physical altercations, and other disturbances.

Together with behavioral analysis, the robot can recognize possible weapons like knives and blunt objects like wooden sticks while deftly ruling out innocuous devices like water cannons, which are frequently used during Songkran celebrations.

RTP claims that the cutting-edge patrol system is a major advancement in Thailand’s use of AI in public safety operations.

Future police now

Humanoid robots have already begun assisting police patrols in neighboring China, capturing public interest with their interactive functions. In Shenzhen, PM01 model robots developed by EngineAI have been deployed alongside officers, wearing high-visibility police vests. These robots have been seen engaging with pedestrians—waving, shaking hands, and responding to voice commands—according to local media reports.

A recent video shows a PM01 robot waving to a crowd, sparking curiosity about its purpose in law enforcement. First launched in December 2024, the PM01 features agile mobility, an interactive touchscreen, and an open-source platform. This design allows developers worldwide to contribute to its evolution by adding new features and capabilities through secondary development.

The deployment of these humanoid robots is part of China’s broader strategy to integrate robotics into public safety, emergency services, and law enforcement. This initiative also includes the testing of other advanced robotic systems. In the same month, Chinese authorities trialed the RT-G robot, an autonomous spherical unit created by Logon Technology.

Built for tough conditions, the RT-G can traverse both land and water at speeds of up to 22 mph (35 km/h) and endure impacts of up to 4 tons (8,818 pounds), making it ideal for use in extreme environments.

Together, these developments signal countries’ growing investment in robotic assistance for public safety and policing.