The New York Police Department is resuming the use of the Digidog robot dog. Mayor Eric Adams made the announcement during a press conference Tuesday, saying that using Digidog can save lives. Previously, the New York City government faced a negative public reaction to the use of robots. Perhaps the mayor’s determination was influenced by the fact that he used to be a police captain.
“I believe that the technology is already here, we cannot be afraid of it,” said Mayor Adams. — Several activists were against it, and we took a step back – I don’t work like that. I’m working to find what’s best for the city.”
Digidog, also known as Spot, is a four-legged, remote-controlled robot created by Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics. It is designed to work in situations that may endanger people, helping to perform activities such as conducting inspections in hazardous areas and monitoring construction sites. Boston Dynamics also promotes its use as a public safety tool.
In 2020, the New York Police Department used Digidog for reconnaissance during a situation where an armed terrorist barricaded himself inside a building, another use case is a 2021 home invasion. Critics opposed the use of Digidog over surveillance concerns, prompting the police to promptly terminate the contract with Boston Dynamics.
The police plan to purchase two robots at a total cost of $750,000, they will be used only in life-threatening situations, such as the threat of an explosion.
The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), a group that opposes police surveillance at the local and state level, condemned Mayor Adams’ move.
“The NYPD is turning bad science fiction into terrible police work,” STOP chief Albert Fox Kahn said in a statement. — New York deserves real security, not a fake robocop. Spending public dollars to invade the privacy of New Yorkers is a dangerous police trick.”
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In addition to the acquisition of Digidog, Mayor Adams and the NYPD announced the testing of two more security technologies. One is StarChase’s Guardian HX, a portable or vehicle-mounted launcher that fires GPS tags at vehicles. The second is Knightscope’s K5 ASR device, which is described as a “fully autonomous outdoor security robot.” The police are going to use a bot to gather intelligence.
The Future of Public Safety is NOW:
?Digidog is an RC K-9 robot for use in the investigation of hazardous situations
?StarChase pilot will study projectively that supports GPS adaptation of the device to cellular or cash cars
?K5 ASR pilot will facilitate conduct automated patrol in confined areas pic.twitter.com/4Qp05ph81o— NYC Mayor’s Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) April 11, 2023
NYPD Commissioner Kychant Sewell said the NYPD’s implementation of these technologies will be “transparent, consistent and always done in collaboration with the people we serve.” She also added that neither Digidog nor the K5 ASR will use facial recognition technology. Mayor Adams added that all the cars will be on display in Times Square.
San Francisco revokes permission to use “killer robots” in police
Source: The Verge
