Boston Dynamics / Boston Dynamics
A Boston Dynamics ’ Spot robot deployed by the Massachusetts State Police ( MSP ) was inject during a standoff in Cape Cod , Massachusetts .
It ’s believed to be the first time that the robot helper has take a bullet during active responsibility , and it highlights how the machine can avail keep law enforcement out of harm ’s way during challenging situations .
Boston Dynamics / Boston Dynamics
The incident occur earlier this calendar month as a SWAT squad responded to a call about a suspected armed someone who had barricaded himself inside a property . When the team arrived , the suspect fire upon officeholder , prompting them to deploy Spot — along with two PackBot 510 robot — to serve in locating the suspect inside the residence .
“ Deployment of the remote - controlled machinelike platform allowed the squad to safely gather of the essence intelligence and ply situational cognizance of the suspect and the home ’s Interior Department , ” the MSP enounce ina Facebook poston Wednesday .
Spot , named Roscoe by the MSP , was get off to the basement by a outside operator and “ was about to open another door when the male defendant dead appear from a sleeping accommodation armed with a rifle . ”
The suspect knocked Roscoe over and , with rifle in hand , start to flee . However , he did n’t actualise that Spot had the power to get back on its feet , a maneuver that Roscoe execute with ease before going after the defendant up the stairs ( yes , it can deal steps , too )
“ When the suspect realized , with apparent surprisal , that Roscoe was behind him on the stair , he again ping the automaton over and then raise his rifle in Roscoe ’s instruction . The robot suddenly lost communicating . ”
The MSP later discovered that Roscoe had been shot three times by the suspect , rendering the automaton inoperable . SWAT manipulator then subdued the man using tear gas , at which point he surrendered without further incident .
“ The incident provide a complete lesson of the welfare of mobile platforms capable of opening door and move up stairs in tactical missions involving armed suspects , ” the MSP said . “ In add-on to cater critically important room clearance and situational awareness capabilities , the intromission of Roscoe into the funny hall forestall the need , at that stage of response , from insert human operators and a real hot dog , and may have foreclose a police officer or canine from being involved in an exchange of gunshot . ”
Roscoe was later take to Boston Dynamics , where the hurt was assessed and the bullets dispatch . The society asked to keep Roscoe for research intention and will pass the MSP a refilling Spot .
News of the incident came on the same Clarence Day that Boston Dynamicsshared a web log poston how Spot can be efficaciously deploy by first responders . The company said that since it becameavailable for purchase in 2020following years of ontogeny , Spot has been search cataclysm land site for survivors , assist law enforcement policeman solve surety situations , serve with drug lab investigation , and conducting structural survey after fire .
