tech
December 20, 2025
Europol imagines robot crime waves in 2035
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TL;DR
- Europol's Innovation Lab report "The Unmanned Future(s)" explores the impact of robotics and unmanned systems on law enforcement by 2035.
- The report envisions intelligent machines integrated into all aspects of society, from homes to police stations.
- Potential criminal uses include hijacking care robots for spying and manipulation, and using hacked autonomous vehicles or drones as weapons or for surveillance.
- Terrorists and criminal gangs might use drone swarms for attacks or to monitor police activity.
- Europol suggests robots will pose challenges for police interrogation and distinguishing between intentional and accidental behavior.
- The report acknowledges that criminals already use drones and autonomous vehicles for smuggling, and this trend is expected to grow.
- Recommendations include increased funding for police training and education in AI, robotics, and cybersecurity, and a shift to '3D policing'.
- Robotics experts acknowledge the potential for surveillance and blackmail with hacked robots but are less certain about other predictions.
- Concerns are raised about the pace of technological adoption and factors like market, cost, and mass production.
- One expert highlights the overlooked risk of police and intelligence agencies exploiting robot vulnerabilities for surveillance and misconduct.
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