The traditional police dog is getting a new counterpart.

For years, the police have used dogs to help them with their work. AI allows police services to modernise how they respond to different events. The latest tool on offer is Spot.

Who is Spot?

Developed by Massachusetts based company Boston Dynamics, Spot is an agile, mobile robot. Due to its appearance, Spot is being dubbed as a robot police dog. The robot moves with animal-like agility, allowing it to deal with all types of urban terrain. Coming in two different models, the Spot Explorer and the Spot Enterprise, Boston Dynamics are branding Spot as a tool to capture data safely, accurately and more frequently:

‘Spot’s base platform provides advanced mobility and perception to navigate stairs, gravel, and rough terrain while collecting 2D and 3D information with on board-sensors. Add payloads provided by Boston Dynamics or third-parties to enhance Spot’s sensing and data processing capabilities.’

Although Spot is garnering attention for its applications in police work, the robot has a role in other industries. These include construction, mining, oil and gas, utilities, manufacturing, public safety, research and entertainment. BP, Woodside and Swinerton are just a few companies making use of Spot. 

How are the police deploying Spot?

The police department in Hawaii is the latest to employ Spot to help with their police work. Using their pandemic relief money, the department spent around $150,000 on Spot. However, rather than using Spot for crime detection and prevention, the Hawaiian police are sending out Spot to help the homeless at the government-run tent city. Anyone living on the streets or looking for temporary shelter will likely have a visit from Spot. Spot will scan the person’s eye to check for a fever.

In a time when the Delta variant of Covid-19 is spreading rapidly across all of the US, the police are thinking of the safety of everyone. Spot allows the police to help detect whether homeless people have potentially contracted Covid-19. Any sign of fever and Spot can direct the person towards a place where they can quarantine.

Hawaii is not alone in purchasing Spot to help with police work. In April 2021, the Dutch police welcomed Spot to their team. The Dutch are the first European police force to use Spot.

Unlike the Hawaiian police service, the Dutch police envisage Spot as having a more proactive role in fighting crime. Entering a drug lab is one of the more dangerous parts of police work. Now, Spot enters drug labs before police officers. Marjolein Smit, head of the Division for Special Operations, explained the logic behind this:

‘A drug lab is always risky for us because there are always dangerous substances involved, but also possibly a criminal with a firearm, so for us it is a great asset that we can now send a robot inside to do that initial observation for us.’

The common thread between the Hawaiians and the Dutch is prioritising officer safety. Spot keeps officers out of harm’s way in a variety of situations.

Privacy problems?

Not everyone is welcoming Spot’s arrival. The current lack of safeguarding measures for Spot is causing concern. In Hawaii, Spot’s role is to help the homeless community. The post-pandemic world will see Spot’s role change. When this time comes, there will need to be clearer directives over how Spot can be used.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was among those who criticised Spot:

‘There’s definitely something spooky about all the robots made by Boston Robotics, a company that has become famous for videos of its increasingly agile humanoid and animal-oid robots.’

However, the Hawaiian police department has rebuffed criticism of Spot. Acting Lt. Joseph O’Neal of the Honolulu Police Department’s community outreach unit cited the safety offered to officers, shelter staff and residents alike. Spot keeps officers away from those who may have contracted Covid-19. O’Neal also mentioned that the police had so far received no complaints about Spot. The robot has a specific use and does not randomly scan people and collect their biometric data.

Michael Perry, vice president of business development at Boston Dynamics, sought to allay fears over how Spot can be used. One of the problems around Boston Dynamic’s creation is comparing Spot to science fiction. Spot remains controlled by humans. It does not act of its own accord.

Boston Dynamics also revealed that the company’s acceptable use guidelines prohibit Spot’s weaponisation. This includes anything that would violate privacy or civil rights laws.

Coming to the UK soon?

There is no indication that Spot will appear on the streets of the UK any time soon. Most recently, peers in the House of Lords questioned how the police should employ AI and facial recognition software. The concerns centred around police officers becoming overly reliant on such software. AI can make mistakes and such errors could cause problems in the criminal justice system.

The recent debate in the House of Lords does not preclude devices such as Spot being used by the police. However, that moment does not appear to be imminent.

About the Author: James Hingley

James Hingley is a contributing Features Writer with extensive expertise in International Relations, Politics and Culture.