Robot gropes 16-year-old girl: Police seize droid after sexual 'assault' is livestreamed

Police have seized a robot in Germany after it allegedly touched a 16-year-old girl's buttocks and 'made thrusting motions against her'.

The 'assault' was reportedly livestreamed outside a fast food restaurant in Cologne on Sunday. 

The 1.2m tall red and gold automaton is believed to have approached the teenager from behind when she was standing with a group of friends.

The incident was then reported to police who found the robot hidden in the boot of a VW car. 

Officers have now launched a criminal investigation as it is believed the automaton was being 'remote-controlled'. 

A video circulating on platform TikTok shows a red and gold humanoid robot, accompanied by two males, pressing up against a teenage girl, who screams and moves away. 

Police seized the robot and two mobile phones from the suspects. 

In a press statement, police referred to the incident as an 'assault' and said they were considering sexual harassment charges.

A Cologne Police spokesman said: 'A red and gold robot triggered a police operation on Cologne's Ringstrasse in the early hours of Sunday (October 11). 

'The device allegedly touched a 16-year-old girl's buttocks and made thrusting motions against her. 

'The robot's 16-year-old owner and his 19-year-old companion are said to have filmed the alleged assault, streamed it live on social media, and acted as commentator.

'According to current findings, the teenager was with her 17- and 18-year-old friends in front of a fast-food restaurant at the corner of Palmstrasse and Hohenzollernring between 11:45 p.m. and midnight. 

'The robot, approximately 1.20 meters tall, is said to have approached the 16-year-old from behind and performed the actions.

'Shortly afterwards, alerted emergency services found the individuals involved at the corner of Magnusstrasse and Hohenzollernring. 

'They found the robot in the trunk of a VW. The 16-year-old from Wegberg had previously placed the device there.

'The criminal investigation department is now examining how the robot was functioning at the time of the incident and whether someone was deliberately controlling its movements. 

'Officers confiscated the robot and two mobile phones belonging to the suspects. 

'The criminal investigation department is investigating on suspicion of sexual harassment.'