By Katie Langford
The Denver Post
DENVER — Denver police officers have a new four-legged friend to help investigate dangerous cases, but it doesn’t respond to Fido.
A recently purchased $328,000 robot “dog” will be used by the bomb squad and in some SWAT team responses, Denver Police Department officials announced Wednesday.
The remote-controlled robot is equipped with an arm that can open doors and lift objects along with lights and cameras to operate in dark spaces. It will be used to check out and remove suspicious or explosive objects, search buildings and investigate areas with potentially hazardous materials, Denver police said in a news release.
Department leaders sought grant funding from the Urban Area Security Initiative and North Central All-Hazards Region of Colorado to buy the device, which is expected to “increase safety across the Denver Metro region,” DPD officials said.
It’s different from the department’s current bomb robot because it can quickly navigate stairs, pick itself up if it falls over and go around debris that would be a problem for a device on wheels or tracks.
“The Denver Police Department is thrilled to have this tool to increase officer safety by utilizing the robot to enter into potentially life-ending situations – protecting the lives of our community and our officers,” Chief Ron Thomas said in a statement.
The robot will not be equipped with any weapons, according to the department.
It will also be used as a community engagement tool, and the department is working with Doull Elementary School students to name it.
Folks attending the Parade of Lights on Saturday may get a first look at the robot, which will be used as part of the department’s safety plan along the parade route.
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