A Florida police department introduced its first robotic dog, which can be deployed in situations that would be potentially dangerous for human officers.
Spot, the St. Petersburg Police Department's new mechanized K-9, was a gift from the Speer Foundation and two local residents, WTSP-TV reports. The $70,000 robotic dog is outfitted with a camera and a two-way intercom, but it has no weapons.
"Spot will only be used on SWAT call-out. It is a de-escalation tool," said Chief Anthony Holloway, adding that the dog won't deploy for routine calls, crowd control or intelligence gathering. "Spot will be used on where, instead of sending an officer up to a scene, Spot can go up to that scene."
Officers began training with Spot last year, and the department will offer the tool to any area police agencies who want to train with it. Along with handling assignments like a flesh-and-blood K-9, Spot also has a few unique abilities.
"It can open a door," Holloway said. "It can go inside, it can take a look around to see what's there, what danger is there, instead of putting those officers in danger."
