Why NYC wants to ban armed police robots

A New York City lawmaker is pushing to draw a clear line on how far policing technology can go.

City Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez on April 30 introduced legislation dubbed the “Asimov Act,” a proposal that would ban the New York Police Department from deploying armed robots while assisting officers.

“At today’s Stated Meeting, I’m proud to have introduced my new bill - the Asimov Act - that bans the NYPD from using robots against our communities,” Gutiérrez said in a Facebook post announcing the measure. “With new forms of technology emerging every day, it’s increasingly important that we safeguard public safety and establish clear boundaries on their use by law enforcement.”

USA TODAY has reached out to the NYPD and Gutiérrez’s office for additional comment.

Rise of police robots sparks debate

The proposal comes as law enforcement agencies across the United States increasingly experiment with robotic technology.

In 2014, leaders at Knightscope told USA TODAY they envisioned fleets of autonomous machines patrolling public spaces. Nearly a decade later , one of the company’s 400-pound K5 robots was deployed in New York City’s transit system , operating alongside human officers.

Experts say such devices may become more common. Matthew Guariglia, a policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, previously warned that robots could become "the next big trend" in policing, similar to facial recognition or gunshot detection systems.

Police departments have long used robots for bomb disposal and surveillance, but newer models can autonomously patrol, collect data and relay information in real time.

Concerns over surveillance and effectiveness

The spread of robotic policing tools has drawn criticism from civil liberties advocates and some researchers, who question both their necessity and impact.

Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, has argued that such technology is "expensive" and "creepy," with unclear benefits to public safety.

Others point to a lack of data showing whether robots meaningfully reduce crime. Andrew Ferguson, a law professor at American University, described some deployments as "security theater," suggesting highly visible tools may do little to address underlying causes of crime.

Privacy concerns also loom large. Critics warn that mobile robotic systems could normalize increased surveillance, particularly in cities like New York where monitoring is already widespread .

Fears of weaponization

A central issue driving Gutiérrez’s proposal is the possibility that robots could be equipped with weapons.

Advocates have raised alarms since a 2016 incident in Dallas, where police used a bomb-disposal robot to kill a gunman - believed to be the first use of a robot for lethal force by a U.S. police department.

More recently, a proposal in San Francisco to allow robots capable of deadly force prompted national backlash before being reversed.

Groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union have warned that weaponized robots could expand the use of force in policing, while campaigns like Stop Killer Robots push for broader restrictions.

Even within the robotics industry, some companies - including Boston Dynamics - have opposed weaponizing general-purpose machines.

Push for guardrails

Supporters of tighter regulations say legislation like the Asimov Act reflects growing urgency to establish boundaries before the technology advances further.

Ryan Calo , who studies law and emerging technology, has emphasized that communities should play a role in deciding how such tools are used.

Gutiérrez echoed that sentiment in her announcement, framing the bill as a proactive step to ensure public safety keeps pace with innovation.

“I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important legislation,” she said.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York City Council member proposes ban on NYPD armed police robots