Russia says 4ft tall robot will protect England fans from local hooligans at next year's World Cup
- Researchers say robot will contact police if he detects aggressive behaviour
- Automaton also diffuses tension with 'diplomatic conversation', scientist claim
- Russians were behind some of the violence towards Euro 2016 fans in Marseille
- Robot creators in Moscow say AlanTim enjoys watching football in his spare time
Russian boffins have offered to protect English football fans from local violent hooligans at next year's World Cup with a bodyguard robot who can detect aggression.
A video has been released showing AlanTim, the pint-sized protector, zipping around while delivering a reassuring message to sports fans planning to travel to Russia for next summer's tournament.
Researchers at the Moscow Technological Institute (MTI) said the four-foot automaton can detect human emotion and will contact police if he spots aggressive behaviour if he feels he cannot resolve it himself through 'diplomatic conversation'.
AlanTim's offer comes three months after a horrifying hour-long BBC documentary called Russia's Hooligan Army instilled fear in football fans and World Cup ticket-holders.
In the clip AlanTim said: 'I read on the internet that many English fans have doubts regarding the safety of visiting Russia. You have nothing to worry about, I will stand up personally for your protection.'
He added: 'I promise to accompany you in Moscow and protect you from any problems.'
An MTI spokesman said: 'AlanTim the robot has offered his protection to British football fans during the World Cup 2018.
'He became aware that many UK fans have safety concerns.
'To meet their concerns, the robot has promised to accompany fans in Moscow and to guard them against any troubles possible.'
Russian boffins have offered to protect English football fans from local violent hooligans at next year's World Cup with this bodyguard robot, called AlanTim, who can detect aggression
A video shows AlanTim, the pint-sized protector, left, zipping around while delivering a reassuring message to sports fans planning to travel to Russia for next summer's tournament
AlanTim is, according to his creators, the Deputy Head of Department of Robotics at the MTI.
AlanTim wears English and Russian football scarves in the bizarre video
The computer boffins add that his favourite pastime is watching football and analysing tactics.
More importantly, the scientists claim the robot can spot when football crowds are about to turn nasty.
The spokesman added: 'AlanTim can recognise human emotions: if he notices aggression towards British guests, he will immediately contact the police.
'Besides, the robot is able to hold a meaningful conversation and to resolve conflicts in a diplomatic way.'
A BBC documentary about Russian hooligans, which aired in February, tracked down perpetrators of the violence inflicted on England supporters in Marseille in Euro 2016.
AlanTim's offer comes three months after a horrifying hour-long BBC documentary called Russia's Hooligan Army instilled fear in football fans and World Cup ticket-holders
Russians were behind some of the violence towards Euro 2016 fans in Marseille, pictured
It explored what these highly organised, expertly trained gangs have planned for a tournament on their own turf.
Wearing a mask, a man who claimed to be the leader of the '200 professionals against 2,000 amateurs' on Marseille's streets suggested any England supporters travelling among other male fans at next year's tournament 'should calculate on getting their a**** kicked'.
The Fifa World Cup will take place from 14 June to 15 July 2018.
(The Mail, UK)
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