‘Doctor Who’ device spotted in Melbourne street

A weird device that looks like it stepped out of a science fiction program spotted on the roadside has left drivers and cyclists alike incredibly puzzled.

A weird device that looks like it stepped out of a science fiction program spotted on the roadside has left drivers and cyclists alike incredibly puzzled.

Jacqueline Felgate, a 3AW host, took to Instagram to snap a picture of the large device in Croydon, Melbourne, in the bike lane.

Ms Felgate speculated that it was an autonomous speed camera — which first popped up in 2018 in Western Australia under the name ALICE – which stands for Autonomous Lidar Concept for Enforcement — was manufactured by a German company called Vitronic.

Social media users were confused over precisely what the device was and frustrated over it being in the bike lane.

“Nice of them to block the bike lane. Cause traffic issues and danger for bikes to go round,” one complained.

Aussies have been left confused at an autonomous speed camera. Picture: Jacqui Felgate/Instagram

Another said: “Very inconspicuous, very unnoticeable.”

“How it’s allowed to be placed in the bike lane is beyond me and I would suggest it won’t be long until it receives a paint job to stop the camera working,” another said.

One commented: “In the mean time the roads around Victoria are crumbling and are dangerous.”

“Parking it in the Bike lane is an accident waiting to happen,” one social media user added.

Another said: “This looks like it’s about to transform into a humanoid figure and tell me that we need to stop the Decepticons.”

“Dr Who has been contracted by VicRoads,” one said.

News.com.au understands the device snapped in Melbourne is Vitronic’s Enforcement Trailer, a semi-stationary system used for autonomous traffic monitoring in locations like accident hotspots.

According to the company’s website, it operates independently for up to ten days and can be used for measuring speed, enforcing tolls, or recognising license plates.

The trailer also hosts high-performance batteries and vandalism protection measures and can be towed by most vehicles.

The device was spotted in Melbourne. Picture: Jacqui Felgate/Instagram

It also supports remote data transmission, allowing easy monitoring without manual presence.

Optional security systems, the website states, include video alarms and fire suppression to enhance protection.

What the mysterious device was doing was a mystery, with the Victorian Government unable to answer.

However, news.com.au can now confirm the placement is part of a trial by Serco.

The British multinational company, which provides public services across sectors like defence, healthcare, justice, and transport, told news.com.au on Friday: “We are currently trialling different mobile and trailer road safety camera technologies,” the spokesperson continued.

“The trailer will be deployed in various existing and approved mobile road safety camera locations throughout September 2024.”