Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia’s National Police (Polri) put technology center stage during the 79th Bhayangkara Day celebration at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta on Tuesday. Police showcasing more than 20 robots, ranging from humanoids and quadrupedal robot dogs to drones and smart machines.
Indonesia’s 79th Bhayangkara Day celebration on Tuesday (July 1) at Jakarta’s National Monument featured a striking parade of police-operated robots.
National Police spokesperson Inspector General Sandi Nugroho said the robots which previously unveiled during preparations for the anniversary, reflect the agency’s commitment to modernization.
“The deployment of various types of robots, including humanoid models and robot dogs, highlights Polri’s efforts to embrace technological innovation,” Sandi states.
Four distinct robot types were showcased, each with specialized functions aimed at enhancing public safety, crime prevention, and operational efficiency. Among them was the I-K9 Robot Dog, which can search for objects and detect explosives.
In a live demonstration before President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the I-K9 robot mimicked a traditional sniffer dog, using remote control to navigate and signal its handler upon locating target items. Officials said the robot could improve bomb disposal operations while reducing risk to human personnel.
In addition to the I-K9 robot dog’s demonstration of radioactive detection, a humanoid robot took the spotlight during Indonesia’s 79th Bhayangkara Day celebration by saluting President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The human-like robot mimicked the movements of police officers, including salutes and patrol-style gestures.
Designed to detect crowds, the humanoid unit was featured in a crowd-control simulation where it helped identify individuals involved in a staged street brawl. It is also equipped to assist with electronic traffic violation monitoring.
Its mobility and 360-degree field of vision make the robot suitable for surveillance in high-risk environments, such as abandoned buildings or disaster zones. The robot is also being tested for public service roles, including handling driver’s license renewals.
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According to Police spokesperson Inspector General Sandi Nugroho, the use of robotic systems is part of Polri’s 2025–2045 Strategic Plan, aiming to streamline costs and reduce human risk in critical operations.
The police force has partnered with several tech firms, including PT Sari Teknologi and Ezra Robotics. R. Dhannisaka, President Director of Ezra Robotics, stated that each robotic dog costs approximately $260,000 and still relies on components imported from China.
“While we’re ready to supply the robots to the police, we’re still awaiting their finalized technical specifications,” Dhannisaka said, noting that the basic model alone costs around IDR 3 billion.
Despite extensive training and rehearsals, some of the showcased robots experienced performance issues during the event, including battery failures that caused unexpected shutdowns.
(Raidi/Agung)