It’s not simply K9s that reply to harmful conditions, together with barricaded incidents, nowadays.
As seen in Danvers on Monday, Boston Dynamics’ Spot the robotic canine was deployed by Massachusetts State Police on the capturing scene the place a suspect was barricaded.
The Mass State Police has two Spot robotic platforms, that are utilized by the Bomb Squad.
“Troopers from the unit frequently deploy to barricaded suspects or potential hostage situations with either their SPOT robots or the more traditional PackBot-type robots,” a Mass State Police spokesperson stated on Monday.
“The SPOT platform has to ability to open doors and climb up staircases, among other functions,” the spokesperson added.
Last yr, the Bomb Squad responded to assist MSP’s Special Tactical Operations Team or native tactical groups at 40 such incidents.
The robots weren’t deployed at the entire incidents, however have been a part of the general MSP response bundle and have been deployed if wanted.
“These platforms, along with other types of technology such as camera systems, as well as our Air Wing helicopters and flight crews and our Drone Unit UAV pilots, give us the capability to surveil a barricaded suspect and provide situational awareness back to Troopers, Officers, and the incident commander in a safer manner than having personnel approach on the ground,” the MSP spokesperson stated.
“Those capabilities can be crucial to officer safety and the successful resolution of a volatile incident,” the spokesperson added.
The Bomb Squad makes use of Spot to analyze suspicious packages and assist safe areas the place massive crowds are anticipated, like forward of Boston’s Independence Day celebration and on the Boston Marathon.
“Spot helps keep people out of harm’s way and aids first responders in assessing dangerous situations,” Boston Dynamics stated in a press release.
“Additionally, we want to point out that any attempted weaponization of Boston Dynamics’ robots is strictly prohibited, as clearly outlined in our Terms and Conditions, our ethical principles, as well as in an open letter against weaponization, which was spearheaded by Boston Dynamics and co-signed by 5 other leading robotics companies,” Boston Dynamics later added. “We are also a sponsor of ‘An Act to ensure the responsible use of advanced robotic technologies,’ a bill introduced in Massachusetts that would ensure that advanced robotics are used ethically and safely. If passed, it would be the first piece of legislation of its kind enacted in the United States.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”