Denver police unveil robotic "dog"
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The Denver Police Department's new robot dog, Spot. Photo: Esteban L. Hernandez/Axios
Its name is Spot — for now.
The big picture: Denver police on Wednesday unveiled a robotic dog assigned to the department's bomb squad that the agency says will help keep the public and its officers safe.
- Denver is the first police department in Colorado with such a robot, commander of special operations Mike O'Donnell said.
Why it matters: It's the latest way Denver police are deploying technology to help with policing, months after saying the department would explore drones to help determine call responses.
Yes, but: Robots' use in law enforcement nationwide has drawn scrutiny over their efficacy, potential to increase police surveillance and possible use of lethal force.
How it works: Spot can maneuver through varying terrain, is capable of climbing stairs, and comes equipped with an arm that can grab and lift objects.
- The new four-legged robot manufactured by Boston Dynamics has cameras and sensors, and it includes collision-avoidance technology to help it steer clear of other objects and even people.
- It can provide two-way communication, though O'Donnell said that feature isn't ready for use.
The intrigue: Spot can lift objects like a grenade, which it demonstrated Wednesday by snatching and lifting a fake one. It can also open doors.
- The robot will also be used to remove suspicious items, conduct preliminary searches and inspect potentially hazardous materials. It can even be outfitted with a device to detect radioactive material.
By the numbers: The robot cost roughly $328,000, paid for by a combination of federal and state emergency preparedness grants, not the agency itself, O'Donnell says.
Between the lines: Spot cannot be armed, O'Donnell says, and won't be used to deploy lethal or so-called "less lethal" weapons.
- He says the department is working with the City Attorney's Office to determine liability in case of an accident involving the robot.
Zoom out: Other robots already used by Denver police for tactical and bomb response are deployed roughly 200 and 300 times a year, respectively, per O'Donnell.
State of play: Meanwhile, roughly 20 other Colorado police and sheriff's departments have experimented with robots to curb crime and improve public safety, per the Denver Post.
- That includes law enforcement agencies in Colorado Springs, Boulder and Wheat Ridge, which have started deploying drones to respond to 911 calls.
- In Wheat Ridge, a drone equipped with infrared technology helped officers catch a suspect in October, Fox31 reported. The device detected a heat source in the bushes, where the individual was hiding after allegedly breaking into a home.
What they're saying: "Every day is a new opportunity for our department to see where we can take this technology," Wheat Ridge PD spokesperson Alex Rose told Fox News in August.
What's next: DPD's robot will make its public debut at the Parade of Lights downtown on Saturday to help sweep the area.
- Students at Doull Elementary School will decide the robot dog's official name.