Europe’s top policing agency has issued a stark warning about the future of crime, cautioning that autonomous drones, vehicles and even humanoid robots could be hijacked by criminals and terrorists within the next decade.
In a new report by the Innovation Lab of Europol, officials outline a scenario in which law enforcement agencies across Europe may soon have to respond to “crimes by robots” as early as 2035. The report highlights risks ranging from drones used in theft and sabotage to autonomous vehicles causing injuries through hacking or malicious remote control.
From battlefield tech to organised crime
Autonomous technologies are already reshaping modern warfare, particularly through the widespread use of drones in active conflict zones such as the Ukraine-Russia war. Europol warns that such technologies are increasingly “spilling over” into organised crime and terrorism.
The report notes a rise in drone activity around European critical infrastructure and points to online marketplaces where drone pilots openly sell their services. This shift, Europol says, transforms crime “from crime-as-a-service to crime-at-a-distance”.
New risks from humanoid and healthcare robots
Beyond drones, Europol raises concerns about humanoid robots designed to interact closely with people. Such systems could blur the line between accidental malfunction and deliberate harm, complicating criminal investigations.
Even healthcare robots are flagged as potential targets. If hacked, machines intended to assist patients could instead expose them to serious danger, adding a new layer of risk to already strained healthcare systems.
The report also suggests that widespread automation could indirectly fuel crime. Workers displaced by robots may turn to cybercrime, vandalism or theft, often targeting robotic infrastructure itself.
Policing in an automated age
Europol argues that law enforcement must evolve rapidly. Investigators may soon need to determine whether a driverless car crash was caused by a system error or a cyberattack. Police forces may also need specialised tools, including advanced drone-disabling technologies, to counter autonomous threats.
Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle said the challenge mirrors earlier technological shifts. “Just as the internet and smartphones presented opportunities as well as challenges, so will unmanned systems,” she said, urging authorities to prepare now.
Debate over how real the threat is
Not all experts agree on the scale or speed of the threat. Some warn of privacy risks from increased surveillance by both criminals and police. Others argue that regulatory and technical barriers may slow the emergence of extreme scenarios.
Still, Europol’s message is clear: the integration of robots and autonomous systems into crime is no longer theoretical. With 2035 less than a decade away, the agency says the question is not if criminals will exploit these technologies — but how prepared law enforcement will be when they do.