Police robots in uniform in China are now appearing on public streets. Complete with a uniform and badge, these robots give instructions and work alongside human police officers. Their presence immediately raises questions. Do robots in uniform actually have authority, and what makes people willing or unwilling to follow their instructions?

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Police robots in uniform in China

I will admit that when I first read the news, I had to take a second look. In the Netherlands, robots are not integrated into everyday life at all, let alone placed on the streets to give directions to pedestrians and cyclists. In China, however, things look a little different. There, people can now encounter police robots in public spaces.

The brain behind this development is AiMOGA Robotics, a company specialised in building different types of robots. This is not just a robot telling you to turn left or right. The ZhiJing R001 (Intelligent Police) has been developed to work together with local police officers, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.

At the moment, the robot is mainly used for traffic guidance and behavioural reminders. It can detect irregular behaviour and respond with polite, standardised messages. It can also warn people when the traffic light is red or when they are parking illegally. Cyclists who are riding in the wrong lane can also be corrected by the robot.

An additional advantage is that ZhiJing R001, unlike humans, does not suffer from exhaust fumes, noise, or extreme weather conditions. Moreover, a robot does not need to adhere to working hours and can perform its tasks twenty four hours a day.

According to Zhang Guibing, general manager of AiMOGA Robotics, this is an important step for society. “Products that remain in the laboratory never truly mature. (…) Real world implementation is essential to achieving reliability.”

In the video below, you can see how ZhiJing R001 operates in practice.

Why police robots wear a uniform in China

This naturally raises the question of why the company chose to dress the robot in the same clothing as police officers. The developers could just as easily have designed a robot with visual elements that resemble a uniform, without using actual police attire.

The answer lies in the psychology of appearance and how people respond to it. In China, research has already been conducted on how humans interact with robots. Studies show that people generally have more positive experiences with robots that display humanlike features. We are also more inclined to trust a robot when its appearance resembles that of a real human.

That trust does have its limits. A friendly appearance can make a robot more approachable, but when it looks too human, it can also trigger discomfort or fear.

Although no specific studies have yet examined the influence of robots wearing uniforms, various studies have shown that a consistent appearance that fits a specific role has a positive effect on perception. Research has also demonstrated the impact of police uniforms and the role that colour plays in authority and trust. This helps explain why the developers chose to equip the robot with a uniform. It is not so much about the uniform itself, but about how people interact with things they recognise.

We are more likely to trust a robot in uniform because the uniform feels familiar. People know it is a robot, yet subconsciously associate its appearance with that of a human officer. This results in a higher level of trust than if the robot were not wearing a uniform at all.

 

The role of culture in accepting robots

This does not mean that people around the world will automatically follow the instructions of a police robot on the street. Levels of obedience, as well as responses to uniforms, differ from country to country and sometimes even between regions, provinces, or cities.

In countries such as China, people are generally more inclined to follow authority than in many European countries. In Europe, there is a stronger emphasis on autonomy, and instructions from authorities are less readily accepted. Beyond obedience, the public image of the police also plays an important role. In places where the police have a poor reputation, as is the case in parts of the United States, people are less likely to take police robots seriously as well.

Perhaps the most important factor is not obedience or police image, but how deeply technology is embedded in everyday life. China has long been known as a country at the forefront of technological development, and robots are no exception.

Last year, several Chinese cities were already experimenting with robots on the streets. In June 2025, the city of Chengdu, in the Sichuan province, deployed a team of robotic police officers. These included quadruped robots, wheeled robots, and humanoid robots that worked alongside human officers in public areas.

 

Introducing police robots is not as simple as it seems

In theory, deploying police robots on the streets may seem efficient, but in practice, implementation is far more complex. I expect that other parts of the world will eventually follow China’s example. However, each country will need to adapt the robot to its own context, including a uniform that fits the local culture and expectations. Just like human officers, the appearance of robots in uniform will continue to play a crucial role.

If you found this article interesting, you may also enjoy the following:

• Belgium has a new police uniform
• Surinamese police introduce a new uniform with striking similarities to the Netherlands

Kind regards,

Aileen