Later, the clip shows two officers escorting the mechanical troublemaker away, in what is probably the silliest perp walk you’ll lay eyes on. One of the cops even places a hand on the robot’s shoulder, humanizing the display.

this is a mischaracterization. The cop was maintaining physical control. Either because he didn't want it walking away, or because it was tippy. or whatever. but it certainly wasn't a sympathetic pat.