The New York Police Department (NYPD) has reintroduced its robotic dog, ‘Digidog,’ along with two other high-tech police gadgets to aid in police work. The robotic dog, developed by Boston Dynamics, was initially deployed in 2020 but then withdrawn due to public criticism.
Police Commissioner, Keechant Sewell, reassured that all three devices, including Digidog, a security robot, and a GPS tracker for stolen cars, will be launched in a way that is “transparent, consistent and always done in close collaboration with the people we serve,” at a Times Square press conference.
Digidog is a four-legged robot equipped with cameras and sensors that can be controlled remotely, allowing it to access hard-to-reach areas and potentially dangerous situations. The NYPD claims that it will only be used to assist in emergency situations such as hostage situations or in cases where there is a risk of explosion or radiation.
“If you have a barricaded suspect, if you have someone that’s inside a building that is armed, instead of sending police in there, you send Digidog in there, So these are smart ways of using good technologies,” said Adams, a Democrat, and former police officer.
However, critics have expressed concern about the potential for the robot to be used for surveillance and tracking. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has called for greater transparency and public oversight in using such technology.
Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, said: “The NYPD is turning bad science fiction into terrible policing. New York deserves real safety, not a knockoff RoboCop.”
“The NYPD is buying robot dogs and other fancy tech while New Yorkers can’t access food stamps because city agencies are short-staffed, and New Yorkers are getting evicted because they can’t access their right to counsel,” said Ileana Mendez-Penate, program director of Communities United for Police Reform.
The deployment of the Digidog is sure to be closely watched by privacy advocates and law enforcement officials alike. As technology continues to evolve, it is vital to balance the potential benefits with the risks and challenges that it presents.