Why NYC wants to ban armed police robots

Source: USA Today

May 2, 2026 Updated May 3, 2026, 7:49 p.m. ET


A New York City lawmaker is pushing to draw a clear line on how far policing technology can go. City Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez on April 30 introduced legislation dubbed the “Asimov Act,” a proposal that would ban the New York Police Department from deploying armed robots while assisting officers.

“At today’s Stated Meeting, I’m proud to have introduced my new bill – the Asimov Act – that bans the NYPD from using robots against our communities,” Gutiérrez said in a Facebook post announcing the measure. “With new forms of technology emerging every day, it’s increasingly important that we safeguard public safety and establish clear boundaries on their use by law enforcement.”. USA TODAY has reached out to the NYPD and Gutiérrez’s office for additional comment.

Rise of police robots sparks debate

The proposal comes as law enforcement agencies across the United States increasingly experiment with robotic technology. In 2014, leaders at Knightscope told USA TODAY they envisioned fleets of autonomous machines patrolling public spaces. Nearly a decade later, one of the company’s 400-pound K5 robots was deployed in New York City’s transit system, operating alongside human officers.

Experts say such devices may become more common. Matthew Guariglia, a policy analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, previously warned that robots could become "the next big trend" in policing, similar to facial recognition or gunshot detection systems. Police departments have long used robots for bomb disposal and surveillance, but newer models can autonomously patrol, collect data and relay information in real time.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/05/02/asimov-act-aims-to-keep-nypd-robots-unarmed-new-york-city-council/89909980007/