The New York Police Department’s robo-dog is being tested throughout the city. The robot was designed and manufactured by Boston Dynamics. And the base unit before additions has a sticker price of $74,000. The model was christened with the name “Spot.”
Since October 2020, the NYPD has deployed a robotic dog to several crime scenes and hostage situations. The NYPD calls the four-legged robo-dog “Digidog” or “WiFido.”
Digidog weighs 70lbs. It can run 3 miles per hour and climb up-and-down stairs. It is equipped with lights, cameras, two-way communications, and wifi.
NYPD’s Technical Assistance Response Unit (TARU) says that the dog is their eyes and ears in an emergency. The unit can “see” its surroundings in real-time.
“This robot is able to use its artificial intelligence to navigate things, very complex environments,” TARU’s Deepu John added.
Earlier this week there was a sighting of a robo-dog at a Manhattan public housing complex. A video appeared on Twitter showing the robot leading two NYPD officers to a building. And then the robot was slowly moving down some stairs as onlookers watch. “I’ve never seen nothing like this before in my life,” one of the bystanders can be heard saying.
