Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC's talking drones can’t speak Spanish (yet)
By
Bahar Ostadan
Published Aug 7, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
By
Bahar Ostadan
Published Aug 7, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The talking drones that city officials deployed to flood-prone neighborhoods on Tuesday were supposed to warn residents about that night's storm in two languages. But video of a drone on Staten Island shows the yappy tech speaking an indecipherable language.
Officials said it was supposed to be Spanish.
“Heavy rainfall and flooding will take place until Wednesday morning,” a voice from the drone flying above Staten Island announced. “If you live in a basement or ground-floor apartment, be prepared to leave your location if flooding occurs.”
After several seconds of silence, a different robovoice took over.
“Preparado para evacuar,” the voice said. But the rest was difficult to discern, no matter what the listener’s native language.
Zach Iscol, the city’s emergency management commissioner, acknowledged the flub in a tweet response to a Gothamist editor.
“I’m very proud of the work our team has done preparing for this storm, but this shouldn’t have happened and we’re going to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he wrote.
A spokesperson for the emergency management office said at least five drones, all using the same recording, were deployed across historically flood-prone areas of the city.
Nearly a quarter of the city’s residents — more than 1.8 million people — speak Spanish at home, according to 2022 Census data. Mayor Eric Adams has used artificial intelligence to turn himself into a virtual polyglot and make Spanish, Yiddish, Haitian Creole and Mandarin-language robocalls to New Yorkers in "his" voice.
It’s part of his administration's larger effort to use drones more frequently. The NYPD has more than tripled its use of drones in the last couple of years, deploying them to city beaches, protests and music festivals.
Tagged
public safety
staten island
Bahar Ostadan
Bahar Ostadan covers the NYPD and public safety. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or message Bahar on Signal at 646-740-7335.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: Spy magazine is doing a Substack pop-up
Because the "Irony Epidemic" is hitting inboxes in honor of Spy's 40th anniversary, here are your early links: West Village gated school street, Trump still promising $5,000 checks, butter is in and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 8:57 a.m. ET
Bronx woman found dead and infant in critical condition after balcony fall, NYPD says
Police say it's still unclear whether the pair jumped, fell or were pushed.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Bronx woman found dead and infant in critical condition after balcony fall, NYPD says
Police say it's still unclear whether the pair jumped, fell or were pushed.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
After Trump defunding, thousands losing rental assistance in NYC may finally have relief
By
David Brand
Blind man dismissed from grand jury duty can sue NY for discrimination, judge rules
By
Samantha Max
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .