Now, China has turned that science-fiction idea into a partial reality. Yes, six-foot-two-inch robots are working as traffic police in the Chinese city of Hangzhou.
The 98-kilogram T2 robots, developed by local company Supcon Information, have been deployed to help manage traffic.
They stop motorcyclists riding without helmets and issue gentle warnings, while moving their mechanical arms in coordination with traffic lights.
The robots use cameras, radar and computing technology to identify motorcyclists who are not wearing helmets.
The robots can also answer questions about roads, parking and traffic regulations. In case of an emergency, they can contact local police.
Since May 2026, the company has deployed 15 of the robots across the city.
According to the company, the robots have issued more than 170,000 warnings so far and have helped reduce cases of motorcyclists riding without helmets by up to 40%.
The company said the robots were tested for thousands of hours before being deployed, including in tourist areas, school zones, different districts and during bad weather.
The robots' cameras and radar systems can be affected by strong sunlight, rain and extreme heat. However, the company says they can identify traffic violations with an accuracy rate of up to 95%.
According to the company, the purpose of the robots is not primarily to punish people after they commit traffic violations, but to provide timely reminders so that unsafe behaviour does not become a habit.
The company also says the robots do not get tired and can work for extended periods.
The robots operate autonomously from 7 a.m. to the evening, moving within predetermined positions.
Traffic police teams monitor the robots through a central platform, allowing officers to oversee their operations while the machines handle routine traffic-control duties.
