The state police in Massachusetts were full of gratitude for a robotic dog which saved their lives and averted a tragedy, which involved a person who had barricaded himself in a home and was firing at them.
The robotic dog, which has been named Roscoe, was working with the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad.
On March 6, it was deployed in a Barnstable house after the man started firing upon the police officials. Two robots, which are generally used for bomb disposal, were sent by the police into the house to find the suspect. The robotic dog was also sent inside with them.
The robotic dog, which is remotely controlled by the state troopers, first checked out of the two main floors before they found a person in the basement.
The suspect, who was carrying a rifle, twice knocked over the robotic dog and then shot it three times. After the attack, the robotic dog’s communication was disabled.
Then, the person shot one of the other robots after which the police deployed tear gas and arrested the person.
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“The incident provided a stark example of the benefits of mobile platforms capable of opening doors and ascending stairs in tactical missions involving armed suspects,” said state police, in a statement.
“In addition to providing critically important room clearance and situational awareness capabilities, the insertion of Roscoe into the suspect residence prevented the need, at that stage of response, from inserting human operators, and may have prevented a police officer from being involved in an exchange of gunfire,” it added.
The company Boston Dynamics, which made the robotic dog called as a SPOT robot, in a statement said that it was the first time somebody had shot one of them.
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“We are relieved that the only casualty that day was our robot,” said the company. “It’s a great example of how mobile robots like Spot can be used to save lives,” it added.
The authorities have not been able to identify the shooter or clarify what charges they face. The robotic dog was shifted to Boston Dynamics to remove the bullets.
The robotic dog will be kept by the company and it will be sent a new unit to the state police.
(With inputs from agencies)
