Robocops brought in to direct the traffic in Kinshasa
'People don't respect the traffic police,' said one Congolese taxi driver. 'We should respect the robot'
Giant robots are being used on the streets of the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to control traffic and reduce dangerous driving
The huge solar-powered machines are designed to monitor roads across Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, and are equipped with red and green lights, as well as multiple cameras, to catch offending drivers.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
They "look more like giant toys than real policemen" and cost roughly £18,000 each to make, according to AFP.
The robots were developed by Women's Technology, a Congolese association of all-female engineers. The group's president, Therese Izay, says that the giant machines will stop dangerous drivers from thinking that they can escape justice.
"In our city, someone can commit an offence and run away, and say that no one saw him," she said. "But now, day or night, we'll be able to see him in real time and he will pay his fine like in all the serious countries of the world."
People on the roads seem to agree. "There are certain drivers who don’t respect the traffic police. But with the robot it will be different. We should respect the robot," said taxi driver Poro Zidane.
"As a motorcyclist I'm very happy with the robot's work," Demouto Mutombo told CCTV Africa. "Because when the traffic police control the cars here there's still a lot of traffic. But since the robot arrived, we see truly that the commuters are respectful."
The machines were first introduced in 2013, with three new robots added to the capital this week and five more sent to the Katanga province in the southeast. A proposal has been submitted for 30 more robots to be stationed along the country's motorways.
However, Kinshasa governor Andre Kimbuta said a strong police presence was still needed on the country's roads. "We should congratulate our Congolese engineers, but policemen also need to do their job," he said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published