Cologne Police Seize Robot in Alleged Sexual Assault of 16-Year-Old Girl

Cologne police spokesman Christoph Bermel said the two male teenagers have not been charged but are considered suspects. Investigators seized the robot and the suspects' phones and are trying to determine whether the robot's movements were preprogrammed or controlled in real time. Bermel said police were unfamiliar with this type of incident. "We have not been aware of this phenomenon so far," he told the Associated Press, adding that it was "new territory for us."

The robot was said to be 120 centimeters (about 3 feet 11 inches) tall. It was dressed in a white tank top, black sweatpants, a gold chain and sunglasses, and it had what appeared to be a fake mustache. Videos circulated on the internet show two young men escorting the robot toward a group of women on a lively nighttime street, bumping into one woman and hugging others, according to the report.

Police have not released additional details about the girl or the suspects. The investigation is ongoing.