This state-of-the-art robot — designed to greet visitors, guide them to the right officials, and even recognise repeat visitors — was expected to usher in a new era of tech-driven policing.
Published Feb 18, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 18, 2025 | 9:00 AM
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan taking salute from KP-BOT during its commissioning at a function at the Kerala Police Headquarters in February 2019.
Synopsis: In February 2019, Kerala unveiled India’s first humanoid police robot, KP-BOT, deployed at the state Police Headquarters. ast forward to 2025, and the once-celebrated ‘Sub Inspector’ has seemingly vanished. South First launched an investigation to trace the missing robocop, and what it turned out was both intriguing and ironic.
Remember KP-BOT, the robotic sub-inspector hailed as a revolutionary step in Kerala’s police reform? In February 2019, Kerala made headlines by unveiling India’s first humanoid police robot, KP-BOT, with much fanfare.
It was Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who welcomed the life-size, female-modeled robot into service, proclaiming Kerala as the first Indian state, and fourth globally, to deploy a robot in law enforcement.
He announced its deployment at the Kerala Police Headquarters (PHQ) in Thiruvananthapuram, proclaiming that the days of uniformed officers manning the front desk were over.
This state-of-the-art robot — designed to greet visitors, guide them to the right officials, and even recognise repeat visitors — was expected to usher in a new era of tech-driven policing.
Fast forward to 2025, and the once-celebrated ‘Sub Inspector’ has seemingly vanished from the PHQ. What happened to this robotic police officer? Where is KP-BOT now? Was it decommissioned? Broken down? Transferred?
South First launched an investigation to trace the missing robocop, and what it turned out was both intriguing and ironic.
KP-BOT, developed by Kochi-based Asimov Robotics in collaboration with Kerala Police Cyberdome, was designed to be more than just a gimmick. The robot, modelled after a woman and given the rank of Sub Inspector (SI), was purchased with a whooping amount of ₹21.24 lakhs.
KP-BOT’s nameplate
It was introduced as a significant step toward modernising the police force.
The vision was grand: A tech-savvy officer capable of greeting visitors, guiding them through the headquarters, explaining procedures, and even detecting metal and gas.
However, as time passed, KP-BOT quietly disappeared from public view.
Visitors to the PHQ who once expected a futuristic greeting were now met by the familiar sight of officers in khaki. The once-revolutionary ‘Robocop’ was nowhere to be seen.
When South First reached out to Kerala Police officials, they confirmed that KP-BOT had been relocated and it’s now 14.6 km from its original posting — at the Cyberdome at Technopark Campus in Kazhakootam.
Officials explained that the robot was now being used for “research and analysis,” serving as a tool for training and experimentation in robotics.
This raises several questions. Was KP-BOT’s initial deployment a mere publicity stunt? Did the ambitious plans for its multifaceted capabilities fall short?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi having a loot at KP-BOT during a function at Gujarat in 2020
The robot’s journey has been a curious one. KP-BOT was envisioned as more than just a greeter. Developers outlined a future where the robot would be integrated with case files, facial and voice recognition, and even the ability to detect emotional states.
The then state police chief, Lokhnath Behra, emphasised the robot’s potential to replace three human staff members, citing reasons for women’s safety, empowerment, and the common presence of women in front office roles.
The initial rollout focused on basic functions: Greeting officials with a salute and self-introduction.
However, the grander vision involved training KP-BOT to understand and respond to Malayalam, assess visitor emotions, and even identify bribery attempts.
At that time, the developers also spoke of equipping the robot with metal detectors, thermal imaging, and gas sensors, transforming it into a veritable security hub.
KP-BOT was also supposed to file oral complaints, display them on its touchscreen, and facilitate video interactions between officials and the public.
However, the promised upgrades and expanded functionalities seem to have remained simply as unfulfilled promises.
People having a look at KP-BOT during a function at Gujarat in 2020
While officials claim KP-BOT saw some action during the Covid-19 pandemic and at police workshops, its current role is far removed from its initial purpose.
The Cyberdome now houses KP-BOT, where it’s reportedly used for “training and experimentation.”
Meanwhile, the police confirm the purchase of only one such unit.
A senior police officer commented, “While the robot’s introduction was a public relations success, its quiet exit suggests that Kerala Police may have overestimated its practical utility. The idea of a humanoid Sub Inspector handling visitor queries sounded futuristic, but in practice, was it more of a novelty than a necessity?”
According to the officer, though the official explanation — that KP-BOT is now used for research — suggested that the Kerala Police has not entirely given up on robotic policing, going by its current status it’s a case of ₹21 lakh experiment that promised much but delivered little.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
