NYPD Deploys 400-Pound Crime-Fighting Robot to Patrol Times Square Subway Station

K5 is a 400 pound robot that will patrol the Times Square subway station overnight to deter crime. It has cameras and communication capabilities.

K5 has a panic button riders can use to alert officers. It will supplement the existing subway camera system.

Daily subway ridership tops 4 million, the highest since the pandemic. But violent assaults are still up 50% from 4 years ago.

The NYPD is increasing use of robots like dogs, drones, tracking devices and now K5. It has facial recognition but the mayor says it won't be activated.

For the first 2 months, K5 will be accompanied by an officer to answer rider questions. Solo patrols are planned for the holidays.