Tiny robots are now patrolling Hoboken sidewalks for safety data — but what comes next?

There’s a little robot rolling around Hoboken now, and we’re all supposed to think it’s adorable.

Sure, that’s what they want you to think.

According to an NJ.com report, the city has deployed small "Daxbot" robots that slowly travel sidewalks collecting engineering data on curb ramps, crosswalks, sidewalks and other pedestrian infrastructure.

“Hoboken has become a national model for street safety because we’ve consistently invested in making our streets work better for everyone,” Mayor Emily B. Jabbour was quoted as saying.

Hoboken says the robots are making sidewalks safer

The stated goal is a good one: identify accessibility problems so streets can be safer for everyone, especially people with disabilities. City officials also claim the robots don’t collect personal information and are supervised by humans.

And you know what? I actually believe that’s what they’re doing.

Today.

But that’s always the catch with new technology, isn’t it?

I’m old enough to remember when every new gadget was introduced with, "No worries, this is only for your convenience." Then suddenly your phone knows where you are, your TV is listening for voice commands, Alexa is eavesdropping on you and your car knows how fast you drive and records every move you make in a little black box.

Hell, I don’t even like those annoying grocery store inventory robots.

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If robots become normal on our streets, what happens next?

Now we’re supposed to get comfortable with robots that look like R2-D2 roaming public streets because they’re wearing reflective safety vests. A wolf is still a wolf even if you hang a necktie on it, okay?

I’m not suggesting Hoboken is secretly building the opening scene of a dystopian sci-fi movie. I genuinely hope these robots help make sidewalks safer.

What I am saying is once we get used to robots routinely patrolling public spaces, what comes next?

Will future versions be programmed to identify code violations? Loitering? Jaywalking? Facial recognition? Tracking where people gather? Maybe none of that ever happens.

But technology has a funny habit of expanding beyond its original mission. Features get added. Software gets updated. New administrations have new priorities.

Forgive me if I’m not eager to normalize the sight of robots quietly patrolling our neighborhoods.

Call me old-fashioned.

I’d rather see another human being walking the streets than some creepy machine.