I-K9 Robot Dog: Bomb Detection and Public Interaction on Bhayangkara's 79th Anniversary

I-K9 Robot Dog: Bomb Detection and Public Interaction on Bhayangkara's 79th Anniversary

The intersection of robotics and public safety has witnessed a significant advancement with the introduction of the I-K9 robot dog, particularly in its application for bomb detection. This innovative technology was showcased during the 79th Anniversary of Bhayangkara, eliciting a positive response from onlookers, including Puan, who was impressed enough to capture the moment with her cellphone (Hayes et al., 2018). The deployment of such robots in public settings necessitates a careful consideration of not only the actual safety mechanisms but also the public's perception of safety (Gurung et al., 2021).  The integration of robots like the I-K9 into urban environments introduces complex dynamics related to public interaction and acceptance, requiring careful design considerations to address potential technological imperfections and foster trust (Yu et al., 2025). The design of robots intended for interaction with the public must consider appearance, voice, speech content, and behavior to encourage positive interactions (Aizawa & Umemuro, 2021; Trovato et al., 2013). These robots are typically designed with human-like capabilities, such as visual recognition, knowledge representation, task planning, localization, and navigation (Manzoor et al., 2021). Robots are now capable of performing a variety of tasks, including entertainment, household appliance control, and security, which has expanded the range of functions performed by domestic robots (Bogue, 2017).

The utilization of robots in security roles, such as bomb detection, represents a significant shift towards automating tasks that are dangerous for humans (Trovato et al., 2019). Such advancements leverage progress in mobile robot technologies, which have broadened video monitoring applications through patrol and surveillance robots (Jiao et al., 2023). The rise of robots in both the military and entertainment sectors highlights their increasing versatility and acceptance (Mller et al., 2021). The integration of robots into security protocols reflects a broader trend of adopting robotic solutions across various industries.  Mobile robots are taking an increasingly important role in various departments, usage of robots allows to solve problems of search and withdrawal of different hazardous substances, to perform complex technological operations, including those dangerous for people with minimal operator participation (Raskatov & Rubtsov, 2020). The increasing use of robotic arms in social settings, where they interact with untrained individuals, underscores the need for comprehensive safety measures and user-friendly designs (Rhim et al., 2023).

The positive reaction of individuals like Puan to the I-K9 robot dog suggests a growing acceptance of robots in public safety roles. The application of robots as receptionists in healthcare environments requires careful consideration, given that interaction with potentially vulnerable individuals will be almost certain (Johanson et al., 2020). Such implementations require careful planning to avoid replacing human workers and to ensure fair outcomes for workers, organizations, and society (Wirtz et al., 2022). It is imperative to design robots that are user-friendly and tailored to the specific needs of end-users, particularly when deploying them in domestic environments where they may interact with children and elderly individuals.  The development of robots capable of assisting elderly individuals in their daily lives represents a promising area of research with the potential to significantly improve their quality of life. The role of robots in enhancing our daily lives is becoming increasingly apparent, mirroring visions of robotic assistants that improve productivity and overall quality of life (Rothemund et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2022).

The incorporation of robots into public spaces necessitates an understanding of how people perceive and interact with these machines.  The application of humanoid robots has been common in the fields of healthcare and education (Choudhury et al., 2018). Some studies are more focused on the design of robots while others are more focused on the interaction between the robot and the user (Rawal & StockHomburg, 2021). The use of social robots in therapeutic contexts has shown promise, suggesting their potential to assist in providing psychological care and support, which is very important during this time of manpower shortage. The deployment of robots such as I-K9 in roles that require human-robot interaction must address ethical concerns, as well as regulatory framework to ensure responsible use (Gonzlez et al., 2021). The design of social robots, particularly their facial features, plays a crucial role in establishing trust and influencing human-robot interaction (Song et al., 2021).

The deployment of the I-K9 robot dog during the Bhayangkara anniversary underscores the evolving relationship between humans and robots in public service.  Robots designed for operation on uneven terrain are essential in a variety of sectors, including search and rescue, agriculture, and military activities. With the purpose of assisting humans in dangerous, arduous, or boring jobs, research about robots is carried out to solve the above problems (Trieu & Thinh, 2023). The integration of AI and machine learning algorithms into robots like I-K9 enhances their ability to detect and respond to potential threats, demonstrating the growing sophistication of robotic systems in security applications.  Robots have the potential to reduce COVID-19 contact infections and enable flexibility in the use of medical manpower (Liao et al., 2021). The utilization of robots to scan boarding passes and assist passengers in airports demonstrates their effectiveness in streamlining processes and improving efficiency (Wirtz et al., 2022). The integration of robots into public safety roles demonstrates their potential to enhance security and assist law enforcement agencies in protecting citizens.

References

Aizawa, M., & Umemuro, H. (2021). Behavioral Design of Guiding Agents to Encourage their Use by Visitors in Public Spaces. 247. https://doi.org/10.1145/3434074.3447169 

Bogue, R. (2017). Domestic robots: Has their time finally come? Industrial Robot the International Journal of Robotics Research and Application, 44(2), 129. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir-01-2017-0018 

Choudhury, A., Li, H., Greene, C., & Perumalla, S. (2018). Humanoid Robot-Application and Influence. Archives of Clinical and Biomedical Research, 2(6). https://doi.org/10.26502/acbr.50170059 

Gonzlez, C. S. G., Violant, V., & Gil, R. (2021). Social Robots in Hospitals: A Systematic Review [Review of Social Robots in Hospitals: A Systematic Review]. Applied Sciences, 11(13), 5976. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11135976