This archive report was first published on 17 September 2019.
On September 17, 2019, China marked a significant milestone in law enforcement with the introduction of its first-ever robotic patrol police officer, Wali, in Shanghai.
Wali, powered by advanced 5G technology and high-definition cameras, boasts a facial recognition system and can transmit real-time 360-degree street views back to police stations.
As Wali patrols the streets, it is intelligent enough to know when the streets get crowded and to remind people to take care of their belongings.
With further system updates, the smart robot is expected to connect passersby with police officers via real-time video calls in the future and provide people in need with assistance 24/7.
While Wali has attracted many curious passersby on the busy Nanjing Road since its debut, it has also faced criticism from some who worry that it may make police officers lazy.
