Robotic Dog Caught in Action With NYPD While Clearing Crime Scene in Bronx

Digidog, the robotic dog of the New York Police Department (NYPD), was seen again in action in New York City to clean a crime scene in the Bronx on Tuesday, February 23.

The robotic dog is the newest addition to NYPD's police dog force that they have been testing on the field recently. Unlike their usual police dogs, Digidog is one dog that does not need to sleep, eat and poop, and is made of circuits and hydraulics.

Fox5 reported that the NYPD is testing this 70-pound robotic dog at the crime scene. Police spokesperson Sgt. Jessica McRorie told the news outlet, this robotic dog uses "cameras and lights mounted on the device which allows the NYPD to view its surroundings in real-time." The robot also comes with a two-way communication system, Sgt. McRorie added.

Robotic Dog Caught In Action As It Clears A Crime Scene in the Bronx

(Photo : YouTube)
NYPD Robo-Dog "Digidog" Deployed in NYC Screenshot from YouTube/ FNTV-FreedonNewsTV by videographer Daniel Valls

Digidog, the Robotic Dog, Caught In Action

A new video shows that the NYPD has once again deployed the blue and black robotic dog of the department to a home invasion crime scene in the Bronx earlier this week. Digidog was seen trotting along the sidewalk together with its handlers, the New York Post reported.

The video was shared by videographer Daniel Valls of FreedomNews.tv who wrote that he is part of the investigation team on a home invasion crime scene on East 227th Street near White Plains Road in Wakefield.

The department did not release any further details of the operation but confirmed that they are using the robotic dog as part of an active investigation.

TARU Inspector Frank Digiacomo said the "dog" is going to save the lives of many people and protect officers as they do their job.

NYPD TARU's Deepu John added that artificial intelligence could be used in the robotic dog to help it navigate things even in very complex environments.

The Bronx crime scene is the second appearance of Digidog as it first appeared back in October 2020 to a Brooklyn shooting, after the suspect has been found to be hiding in a nearby basement.

ALSO READ: [VIDEO] Singapore Stations Robotic Dog in Public Parks to Remind People to Follow Social Distancing

Increasing Popularity of Employing Robotic Dogs

Boston Dynamics has already developed many robotic dogs, including the BigDog, Atlas, and Spot.

NYPD testing and deploying Boston Dynamics' robotic dog is just one of the many uses of robotic dogs these days. As mentioned the Bronx crime scene is already the second appearance of the dog. In the future, it could become a common sight on crime scenes.

In a previous report of Science Times, Singapore has also used Boston Dynamic's robotic robot named Spot to patrol parks across the country to ensure that people follow the health protocols set by the health authorities, specifically with social distancing when in public places.

Last year in December, the robotic dog was also filmed dancing along with other robots in a synchronized routine in what The Verge described as "smoothly running, jumping, shuffling, and twirling through different moves."

Although their presence is a good thing, some think that it is still unnerving to see the things in books come to life. As evident in the video, someone can even be heard saying with amazement that the robotic dog looks creepy.