DENVER — The Denver Police Department introduced its newest member Wednesday: A robotic "dog" that will be used to help patrol the 9NEWS Parade of Lights on Saturday.
The robo-dog is assigned to the Denver Police Bomb Squad and will be used on an as-needed basis with SWAT responses in the Denver metro area, according to a release.
The robot walks on four legs, like a dog, and has an arm that can open doors and lift objects. It's remote-controlled and equipped with cameras and lights to help it move it dark spaces, the release said, and it can be used to help two-way communication.
The department said that unlike its current bomb robot, the legs on the robo-dog allow it to go up and down stairs quickly, pick itself up after falling over, and move around or over debris in its path.
While the robo-dog doesn't have any weaponry of its own and won't be used to deploy any lethal or less lethal weapons, it will be used to help identify potential dangers to officers, keeping them at a safe distance.
Denver Police said the robo-dog will be used for the following:
- Inspect and remove suspicious or explosive items
- Conduct a preliminary search a building after a search warrant is obtained
- To inspect where there is, or may be, potentially hazardous materials
Here's a look at the robo-dog in action:
The department said it also plans on using the robot as a community engagement tool, using the public's curiosity about the robot and its function to open the door for conversations between officers and their community.
The robo-dog will even get a name. The department is partnering with kids at Doull Elementary School to come up with it.
The department said funding for the robo-dog was made possible by about $328,000 in grants from the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and North Central All-Hazards Region (NCR) of Colorado.
“The Denver Police Department is thrilled to have this tool to increase officer safety by utilizing the robot to enter into potentially life-ending situations – protecting the lives of our community and our officers,” Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said in the release. “This new robot also demonstrates our commitment to leveraging technology to provide public safety services in innovative ways.”
Denver Police said the robot's first mission is part of the department's safety plan for the 9NEWS Parade of Lights, and attendees will get a firsthand look at the robot at work along the parade route.