In the Windsor Park neighborhood of Austin, the friendly facade of a small, squat robot named Daxbot, or Palmer, has caught the public’s attention. With big blue eyes that evoke a sense of charm and cute caterpillar treads for feet, the 3-foot-tall device patrols the streets, monitoring for suspicious human activities. This initiative represents a collaboration between Austin-based CTX Patrol Service and the Oregon robotics company Dax.
Despite its Pixar-like appearance, Daxbot brings with it advanced artificial intelligence technology. While Daxbots are facial recognition-ready, a company representative clarified that this particular model does not have the feature activated. The robot essentially functions as a mobile camera, designed specifically for mixed-use environments, aiming to balance public trust with the demands of security enforcement, as explained by Hobert Crittenden, the director of operations at CTX Patrol Service. Notably, the deployment of Daxbot did not require any authorization from the city officials.
This brings to light significant concerns over the use of such technology in public spaces, particularly regarding the lack of permits for crime-fighting machines on the streets. A city resolution passed in 2020 prohibits the use of facial recognition technology by both the Austin police and private corporations on city property. However, sidewalk and street areas are not classified as
image source from：statesman
