New York weather drones can’t speak Spanish

In an effort to enhance public safety, New York City has launched an initiative using drones to broadcast urgent weather warnings, such as those related to potential flooding from severe storms. However, the initiative’s launch has faced criticism due to the drones’ inability to effectively communicate in Spanish, highlighting a significant gap in the implementation of this technology.

As a Spanish speaker, I can confidently say that this is incomprehensible. The city couldn’t find a single person who spoke Spanish to deliver this alert? https://t.co/uI9ERCuDmV

— Josefa Velásquez (@J__Velasquez) August 6, 2024

While the initiative aims to increase accessibility and reach a larger audience during extreme weather events, the execution has been questioned. According to a report by the New York Times, the drones were deployed for the first time on a recent Tuesday afternoon, coinciding with forecasts of heavy rainfall that raised concerns about flash flooding in the region. Given that approximately 20% of New York’s population speaks Spanish as their primary language, the initial messages were intended to be bilingual.

Despite these intentions, the Spanish translation was marred by distortion and a mechanical tone that rendered it almost unintelligible. This left many residents unable to understand the crucial warnings, which were clearly communicated in English. The cause of this technical failure remains unclear, whether due to a software glitch, human oversight, or another factor.

In response to the incident, the city’s emergency services commissioner acknowledged the error in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The commissioner praised the efforts of the team involved while assuring the public that measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence of this issue.

The concept of using drones for weather alerts was proposed by Mayor Eric Adams, known for his proactive stance on incorporating technology into city management. Mayor Adams has been a vocal advocate for employing technological solutions to improve urban living. For instance, he introduced a security robot in the Times Square subway station last year, signaling his commitment to innovative methods for enhancing public safety.

Despite the mayor’s forward-thinking approach, some of his technological initiatives have faced challenges. Notably, the introduction of Boston Dynamics‘ Digidog robots into the local police force met with significant public backlash. Initially intended for use in high-risk scenarios like hostage situations, these robotic dogs had previously been employed successfully as park rangers in Singapore. However, public opposition in New York City was so intense that the police department ultimately canceled the contract, which was valued at nearly $100,000.

As the city navigates the complexities of integrating advanced technologies into public safety measures, the drone mishap serves as a reminder of the importance of considering the diverse linguistic needs of its residents. Moving forward, addressing these language barriers will be crucial to ensuring that technological advancements effectively serve the entire community.