2017

The Knightscope K5 was an robot designed to be the future of crime prevention. Equipped with 360-degree cameras, thermal imaging, and all types of sensors and detectors, it was built to patrol public spaces and tirelessly report on any suspicious activity.

Just days into its new job at a Washington D.C. office complex, this high-tech marvel faced an enemy it was not programmed to defeat: a decorative fountain. Photos of the undignified drowned security guard immediately went viral.

This incident is not a devastating failure in any way. It is more a funny (tragic for the robot) reminder that AI still struggles with mundane clumsy realities. This messiness can be stairs, puddles or chicken nuggets. For chatbots the messiness can be human emotions and irrationality.

Knightscope is still in business in 2025, with new generations of security robots.