'Respect The Robot': Giant Robots Oversee Traffic In Kinshasa

By Krishnadev Calamur

Published March 5, 2015 at 2:55 PM PST

A man walks by with a basket of bread during the official presentation ceremony of three new robots that were installed Tuesday in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to help tackle the city's traffic.

Perhaps, we will welcome our robot overlords after all.

The two giant robots who have directed traffic in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have company. Agence France-Presse three new robots 鈥� developed by Women's Technology, an association of female engineers 鈥� were positioned this week across the city of 9 million people to direct traffic.

The giant robots are solar-powered, have chests that rotate and are equipped with cameras that send real-time information back to the police station, AFP reports. It's unclear why this is any different than having traffic cameras 鈥� besides the fact they look much cooler (and more intimidating) 鈥� but the robots appear to be having the desired effect.

"There are certain drivers who don't respect the traffic police. But with the robot it will be different," taxi driver Poro Zidane told AFP. "We should respect the robot."

You can watch a video from AFP on the robots below (in French).

Krishnadev Calamur

Krishnadev Calamur is NPR's deputy Washington editor. In this role, he helps oversee planning of the Washington desk's news coverage. He also edits NPR's Supreme Court coverage. Previously, Calamur was an editor and staff writer at The Atlantic. This is his second stint at NPR, having previously worked on NPR's website from 2008-15. Calamur received an M.A. in journalism from the University of Missouri.

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'Respect The Robot': Giant Robots Oversee Traffic In Kinshasa