Shanghai residents were met with a surprising sight this week as a humanoid robot dressed like a traffic cop took charge at one of the city’s busiest intersections.
Nicknamed “Xiao Hu” — meaning “Little Tiger” — the robot was seen in the Huangpu District on Wednesday evening, directing cars and pedestrians while dressed in a reflective yellow uniform with LED tube lighting and a large, white helmet.
The robot, developed over four years, isn’t armed but was programmed to issue voice commands like “Red light, please stop” and used hand gestures commonly seen from human traffic officers to help guide pedestrians safely across the street.
According to the Shanghai Public Security Bureau’s Traffic Management Department, Xiao Hu is currently part of a trial phase and is not yet officially deployed. During the demonstration, the robot also provided directions to pedestrians and answered basic questions about traffic laws.
Officials say Xiao Hu’s appearance is part of a real-world learning exercise for traffic management scenarios as Shanghai explores ways to integrate automation and AI into public safety efforts.
While no timeline has been given for when the robots might be permanently stationed on Shanghai’s streets, authorities have hinted that similar machines could eventually help human officers in high-traffic areas or during major events.
The introduction of Xiao Hu is part of China’s broader push to develop “smart city” infrastructure and expand the role of AI in law enforcement.
The futuristic sight has already drawn comparisons online to classic sci-fi icons, with some residents nicknaming the robot a real-life “RoboCop.”
