Pick up that can

gun wrapper

It's like if Aperture Science designed a Dalek

I think so, lol. Dalek security guards are scary indeed.

HALT!

I imagine it MITM's the wifi? Obviously wouldn't work with cellular but thats the only this claim can ve even remotely true.

That being said they could do some shit with malicious bluetooth/NFC behaviour

Someone made a mistake here. It's not getting your IP address. An IP address is assigned by the gateway when you're connected to an access point. An IP address is not an identity. They are always changing and can be shared. This has already been tested and upheld in court.

It's actually collecting your MAC address. Which is exchanged when your phone or tablet scan nearby WiFi points or Bluetooth devices. However, this can already be defeated. By default iOS and Android both have the option to randomise the MAC address in intervals. Making it extremely difficult to prove anything. This feature exists because the devices real MAC address never changes. It is unique. Alternatively, users can disable WiFi and Bluetooth scanning entirely. However, your device no longer participates in the Find My Devices program by Apple and Google, location does take longer to acquire in some scenarios, and accuracy may take longer to triangulate.

It probably just has a WiFi repeater in it

I bet it was something like the hardware id instead but she misspoke

"You are illegally parked on private property. You have twenty seconds to move your vehicle." -ED-209

Sorry, I laughed. Did it do damage? What was the outcome?

On the one hand, yes, on the other hand, it's unlikely to brutalize or kill people for minor offenses, so maybe a win for a public space?

CITIZEN! DO NOT BE ALARMED! YOU WILL FEEL A SMALL TICKLING SENSATION AND THEN DEATH!

it literally says it reads shit off your phone/other smart devices, you're being tracked

privately owned property

quick, name a space that isn't

Radio signals don't recognize property boundaries.

exactly my thought

people consumed all these dystopian movies and thought "what a great rubric for society!" we're so fucked lol. These death machines (like drones and such) are also where the most work and funding go for machine learning and AI research too. What could go wroooong

Avoid local retail in favor of what, a website? If you're concerned about the data mining potential of this robot rolling around a strip mall then you should avoid the internet at all costs.

It's a roving mobile camera. It doesn't get distracted easily or bored or tired and isn't apathetic and It doesn't hate its job. Criminals don't want to be filmed doing their crime.

Normally if you are not actively doing anything provably wrong the mall cops will just kick you out, this thing is going to provide evidence to the actual police.

But I have to admit any significant security advantages that it provides are going to be short-lived while the thieves just change their plan. They'll just have to be faster and more aware of where this thing is, or do a better job of hiding their face.

I'm glad someone else had this thought!

It's in America so yes.