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Granada is edging closer to a future that, until recently, sounded more like science fiction than reality. The city council has announced plans to introduce a humanoid robot to the Local Police, a move that could make Granada one of the first Spanish cities to experiment with artificial intelligence in public service. The initiative is part of G-Move, a wider plan to improve traffic, safety and mobility in the city through smart technology. The goal is simple: make the management of public services faster, more efficient and, ideally, a little smarter. A helping hand, not a replacement The robot won’t be directing traffic or patrolling the streets on its own any time soon. To start with, it will assist with administrative tasks, learning and adapting through artificial intelligence. Later on, if all goes well, it could help manage traffic control duties – though always under the close supervision of municipal staff. Local officials are keen to make one thing clear: this is not about replacing people. “We’re talking about support, not substitution,” they said. “The aim is to give our officers more time to focus on what really needs human judgement.” The project is still in its early stages and depends heavily on €5 million in European innovation funding. Without that support, Granada’s futuristic plan will remain a concept. “We don’t want to create unrealistic expectations,” city representatives explained. “Everything depends on securing the EU funding, which is still pending approval.” If the funding goes through, the humanoid could eventually take on more roles, possibly helping coordinate city cleaning or other public services. Smart city with a human heart Granada’s plan puts it on the growing list of European cities investing in smart technology to improve everyday life. The robot, powered by AI, will be designed to communicate, learn from experience and adapt to different situations – similar to models already in use in China for community assistance and crowd management. What makes Granada’s project stand out is the balance it’s trying to strike. It’s not about creating a futuristic police force, but about finding new ways for technology to work alongside people, not in their place. The city’s mix of rich history and modern ambition makes it an interesting testing ground. While it’s best known for the Alhambra and its historic charm, Granada is also showing a clear determination to bring innovation into daily governance. Bringing police closer to residents Alongside this high-tech proposal, the city has launched another, more down-to-earth project -p the Mobile Neighbourhood Police Office. The idea is to strengthen ties between residents and officers by taking the police directly into local communities. Every week, the mobile unit will visit one neighbourhood from each of Granada’s eight districts, setting up for a couple of hours in busy spots like plazas, civic centres or shopping streets. Residents will be able to speak directly to officers, share concerns, report problems or simply ask questions. “This team will create a record of incidents by neighbourhood and send it to headquarters for follow-up,” explained Ana Agudo, councillor for Mobility and Citizen Protection. “It’s about staying connected and maintaining continuity in how we listen to residents.” It’s a reminder that, even as Granada looks ahead to a future shaped by technology, the city hasn’t forgotten the importance of personal contact and community trust. A cautious step into tomorrow For now, the humanoid police assistant remains a pilot idea — a bold one, but still dependent on European approval. If the funding arrives, Granada could become one of Spain’s first cities to blend artificial intelligence and public service in a practical way. Whether the robot eventually takes to the streets or stays behind a desk, the city’s direction is clear: Granada wants to be part of the conversation about how technology can improve daily life, without losing the human side that keeps a community together.
