The SPCA’s use of a security robot signals a hellish future for our cities

Last week, The San Francisco chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was ordered by the city to stop using a security robot outside its office in the Mission District to clear the area of vagrants and homeless people. About a month ago, the nonprofit deployed a K5 robot developed by Mountain View-based firm Knightscope. It’s a hulking metal beast that stands 5 feet tall, weighs 180 kg (398lb) and patrols a pre-defined area at nearly 5 km/h (3mph). Using sens