- The New York Police Department will use two robotic dogs called “Digidogs” and a technological device to track suspicious vehicles, according to Mayor Eric Adams.
- Robotic dogs have been criticized by those who believe that resources should be used more efficiently.
- New York City paid $750,000 for the robotic dogs and also brought in a K5 to patrol the city, in an increasingly tough public safety strategy.
The NYPD will use more robots (than it already uses) to fight crime. This was stated on Tuesday night, April 12, by the mayor of that city, Eric Adams.
In this strategy, NY acquired two robotic dogs, which the New York Police dubbed “Digidogs”, which will be used in incidents such as hostage taking.
He also bought a special technological device that allows suspicious vehicles to be tracked.
The NYPD had already experimented with robotic dogs in 2021, but stopped using them after a backlash from some opposition lawmakers over what they denounced as an “excessive militarization of the police.”
These same legislators protested again this Tuesday.
Adams’ strategy is in line with his background: He is a former NYPD captain who came to power in 2021 on an electoral platform based on crime reduction.
Adams, about the critics, said that they are the same ones that at the beginning of the 20th century criticized fingerprint technology. “We are willing to move forward and use technology to keep cities safe,” express.
Digidogs are remote-controlled, four-legged units that can climb stairs. They will be used to investigate sites with potential hazardous materials or to approach entrenched suspects.
The manufacturer is the company that is famous for videos of robots doing all sorts of amazing things: Boston Dynamics.
The NYPD is officially adding robot dogs.
The “Digidog” weighs 70 pounds and moves at a top speed of 3.5 miles per hour.
They’ll sic these on peaceful protesters.
We’re fucked.pic.twitter.com/NhbAi5OP9T
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) April 11, 2023
Robotic dogs in the NYPD
Civil liberties groups said the devices are “imitation robotcops” and that the city should use its resources more efficiently.
The Working Families Party, meanwhile, criticized Adams for dedicating resources to robot dogs when his administration cut back on libraries.
In response, the mayor said that “It’s never a bad time to invest in public safety.”
the city paid $750,000 for robotic dogs with money that, according to the Police, was seized from criminals.
The city also incorporated a K5 to patrol the city, publishes the Wall Street Journal.
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