Mystery device seen on Saltcoats street left locals baffled

The apparently remote controlled machine was seen heading along the footpath at Ardrossan Road on Tuesday, June 4.

There appeared to be no one standing nearby controlling the device, which seemed to have a camera attached to it.

Some suggested it could be a new type of drone. Others said it resembled a bomb disposal device used by the Army. 

(Image: Contributed)

One or two feared it could be the vanguard of an AI-controlled robot invasion of the Three Towns. Because of course, the Three Towns would be their first destination...

Here in the Herald office, we like to think it could be a close cousin of Johnny 5, the experimental military robot that was struck by lightning and gained a human-like intelligence in the 1986 hit movie Short Circuit and the sequel two years later.

We contacted North Ayrshire Council to ask if they had any knowledge of the mystery robot.

But a spokesperson admitted: "We've asked around and nobody knows what this is or has had any reports of it."

The Short Circuit robot (Image: Contributed)

Of course, there will probably be a much simpler explanation than the theories above, so if you have one, we'd love to hear it.

And if the mystery device is yours, call us and we'll be happy to let everyone know exactly what it was doing in Saltcoats...