When we imagine robots, our minds often go towards a sci-fi future in which our world, or perhaps even the worlds beyond it, are populated with fantastical machines performing fantastical tasks. However, the reality in 2024 is a little more down to Earth. Spare a thought then for this particular model of machine, as rather than ushering in a new dawn of technological revolution, it's instead been hired by San Antonio airport to stand near some doors.
The model in question is one of Knightscope's K5 autonomous security robots, and it's a fairly impressive tower of authoritarian power (via The Guardian). Weighing in at 420lb and standing at just over five feet tall, the robot is designed for outdoor or indoor use, primarily in a security capacity. And San Antonio city council has just approved a year long contract to rent one as an airport security measure.
