Robotic Police Dog Who Was Shot Three Times Is Credited for Helping to Apprehend Armed Suspect
Massachusetts state police’s futuristic companion shows how innovative solutions like robotics could help reduce the number of animals used in dangerous police missions.
An example photo of one of Boston Dynamic’s various models of robot. Credit: Boston Dynamics
A robotic police dog has been credited for its role in helping authorities respond to an armed suspect.
The “dog”, named Roscoe, was deployed by Massachusetts State Police during a mission to apprehend a person who had shot at police and barricaded themselves inside a house in Barnstaple, Associated Press reports.
Using remote controls, state troopers were able to operate Roscoe from a distance and send it inside the house to locate the armed person. The dog discovered someone hiding in the basement, who then shot at the robot multiple times with a rifle.
Once located, police were able to use tear gas in the basement and arrest the suspect.
During the operation Roscoe the robotic dog was struck three times with bullets. The damage highlights how Roscoe may have averted potential injuries to real police dogs or human officers.
“The incident provided a stark example of the benefits of mobile platforms capable of opening doors and ascending stairs in tactical missions involving armed suspects,” state police said in a statement. “In addition to providing critically important room clearance and situational awareness capabilities, the insertion of Roscoe into the suspect residence prevented the need, at that stage of response, from inserting human operators, and may have prevented a police officer from being involved in an exchange of gunfire.”
Roscoe is the design of Boston Dynamics, a company which develops highly mobile robots that can help reduce the danger of certain work.
“We are relieved that the only casualty that day was our robot,” the company said in a statement. “It’s a great example of how mobile robots like Spot can be used to save lives.”
Could Robotics Help Reduce the Use of Animals in Harmful Situations?
Boston Dynamics is just one of the innovative companies that are creating robotics to replace positions that are dangerous or harmful to humans and animals.
While Roscoe the dog is used to deal with armed and dangerous criminals, other robots are helping to provide a wide range of sectors with animal-free solutions.
In the tourism industry, hyper-realistic robotic dolphins have been unveiled to help replace the use of real live captive dolphins in marine entertainment parks.
Aquariums and sea parks have long been criticized for forcing captive dolphins into unnatural lives, where they are forced to swim with paying customers and perform tricks.
The robotic dolphin in action. Credit: Edge Innovations
But Edge Innovations, the company behind the animatronic dolphins, is hopeful that their designs can replace exploited animals in captivity and provide a safer and more fun experience for tourists too.
In incredible footage, the prototype dolphin can be seen swimming and interacting with humans.
Animal interactions like these are increasingly looking towards robotic alternatives that are safer and more ethical.
In India, where so-called ‘temple elephants’ are commonly used in religious rituals and in cultural processions, one temple has become the first to welcome a lifelike robotic alternative.
The robotic elephant. Credit: PETA India
The temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala now has a realistic mechanical elephant that can fulfill the role of a temple elephant, without needing to keep a ‘real’ animal in captivity.
Named Irinjadappilly Raman, the robotic elephant measures 10 feet 6 inches and can help conduct ceremonies at the temple in a safe and cruelty-free manner.
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