Police say police robot dog got shot three times by barricaded suspect
The Massachusetts State Police reports that one of their bomb squad members has gone above and beyond in fulfilling his duty by taking bullets for the team. However, the officer in question is not a human or even a canine, but rather “Roscoe,” the specialized robot dog created by Boston Dynamics.
In a statement, the Massachusetts State Police said that Roscoe, a nickname for the robot, accompanied the bomb squad to respond to a situation involving an armed suspect barricaded in a house in Barnstable on Cape Cod. Roscoe, along with two PackBot robots used for bomb disposal and reconnaissance, was sent to help locate the suspect.
Roscoe, operated by a human soldier remotely, was first sent to clear the two upper floors of the house. The robot reportedly encountered problems when it went down to inspect the basement, where it found the suspect armed with a rifle. The suspect proceeded to knock down the robot and then started going up the stairs. Unaware that the Boston Dynamics robot could get back up, the suspect was surprised to find Roscoe behind him on the stairs. The suspect then aimed his rifle at Roscoe, causing the robot to lose communication after being shot three times.
Roscoe was not the only robot shot at during the incident. The suspect also attempted to shoot one of the PackBot 510 robots, but failed. Authorities continued to introduce tear gas into the house, and the suspect surrendered shortly after.
Despite the impressive performance of Roscoe during the incident, the use of Boston Dynamics’ Spot by police departments has come under scrutiny in recent years. The NYPD faced criticism for its use of Spot, with concerns raised about potential surveillance of citizens, particularly people of color.
The New York Police Department terminated its lease contract with Boston Dynamics in April 2021 due to public backlash. However, Mayor Eric Adams reinstated the decision in 2023, stating that the use of Spot in the city could “save lives.”
The fallen Roscoe was taken to Boston Dynamics for assistance in removing the three bullets lodged in the robot and assessing the damage. The manufacturer keeps Roscoe for research purposes and provides the Massachusetts State Police with a replacement unit.
