COLOGNE, Germany — German police have launched an investigation after a remote-controlled robot was allegedly used to sexually harass a young woman on a street in Cologne, with the incident broadcast live on social media.

According to local authorities, the incident occurred at around 11:45 p.m. on October 10 in front of a fast-food restaurant in the city center. A 1.2-meter-tall robot reportedly approached a 16-year-old girl from behind, touched her body, and pressed against her.

Police stated that the owner of the robot, a 16-year-old male, was accompanied by a 19-year-old man who allegedly filmed the harassment and streamed it live on social media platforms.

Officers responding to an emergency call later intercepted the suspects and searched the trunk of their Volkswagen sedan, where they discovered the robot—dressed in a sleeveless shirt and athletic pants.

Authorities have seized both the robot and the suspects' mobile phones. Investigators are currently examining whether the robot operated autonomously or was intentionally manipulated by the teens to commit sexual assault and harassment.

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