Robocops direct traffic in Kinshasa

The giant robocops directing traffic in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are being upgraded.



Two of these robots have been directing traffic in Kinshasa's streets since December 2013. Three new robots were installed last week.



These new robots with the names, Tamuke, Mwaluke, and Kisanga, are said to react much more quickly to traffic situations than the two older models. Their inventors said the new robots' electronic components work much better and their CCTV cameras enable police to better identify traffic violators for ticketing.




The humanoid-looking robots made by a team of Congolese engineers are immobile and are rooted to a few intersections in the city of nine million people as can be seen in this video.



They're made of aluminum and powered by solar energy. Each robot is equipped with two surveillance cameras in its eyes and one on each shoulder looking sideways. The CCTV cameras send real-time traffic images to a control center.



But what's unique about these robots are their massive robotic hands fitted with red and green lights that move up and down to let cars know when to stop and when to go.



The robots were developed by Isaie Therese, president of Women's Technology, along with the Kinshasa's Higher Institute of Applied Technique.



Therese said the design of the robots copy the style of real policemen. She has submitted a proposal to city officials to install 30 more of robots traffic cops throughout Kinshasa.

