The Taylor Police Department in Michigan has officially added a new gear to its policing equipment—a robot dog. Aptly dubbed the "RADDOG 2LE", this canine-inspired bot represents the state's inaugural foray into deploying robotic technology within law enforcement. The Detroit News reports that the AI-powered pup is designed to enter risky situations, thus keeping officers out of harm's way.
According to Police Chief John Blair, the device acts as an "officer safety tool and a de-escalation tool." In a scenario, for instance, where someone is barricaded inside, the robot could serve as an intermediary. Blair said, "We can send this dog in to communicate" with the person inside. This use of technology is not only a step toward enhanced safety for law enforcement but also sheds light on the innovative approaches being adopted for crisis intervention. The RADDOG comes equipped with five cameras and offers a two-way communication line to de-escalate tense situations from a safe distance.
Funded through federal forfeiture money, Taylor officials confirmed the addition did not increase the burden on taxpayers. "Instead of putting that officer at risk and possibly escalating a situation, we can send our robotic dog and take a look, be our eyes and ears and give us a layout of what's inside, where officers may have to encounter them at a later time," Blair told CBS News Detroit. The bot comes as a part of a one-year lease from Ferndale-based Artificial Intelligence Solutions and Robotic Assistance Devices, costing the department $35,000, which includes a warranty and routine updates about its effectiveness.
While Taylor's residents are still to decide on a final name for their new robotic companion, excitement within the community is palpable. "The RADDOG is marketed as a de-escalation tool, so it's a lot safer than sending an officer into an armed situation," stated Lt. Jeff Adamisin of Taylor PD, as reported by Hoodline. The deployment of RAD Dog will be closely monitored, with the intent to collect real-time data and experiences that could benefit future applications of such technology in law enforcement scenarios.
Steve Reinharz, CEO/CTO of AITX and RAD, said the police department is pioneering Phase 1, Gen 1 of the technology. "We're going to be collecting real empirical information, use cases, experiences," that will pave the way for further developments. With an emphasis on safety and innovation, the Taylor Police Department is charting a new path ahead for robotics in public safety that could set a precedent for other cities and towns in the region, as per The Detroit News.
