NYPD Unveils Robotic Dogs and GPS Darts to Combat City Crime
New York City brings back the controversial Digidog alongside a new autonomous security robot and a GPS dart system to track fleeing vehicles. Officials emphasize these tools help address rising car thefts and high-risk scenarios without using facial recognition.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell announce the deployment of new policing technologies, including the return of the Digidog. This four-legged robotic dog, made by Boston Dynamics, previously faced criticism and decommissioning under the former mayor, but Adams declares it is now "out of the pound." The city acquires two of these robots using asset forfeiture funds at a cost of $750,000, and they will assist in high-risk situations like bomb threats and hostage negotiations.
The NYPD also introduces a K5 autonomous security robot, created by California-based Knightscope, for a six-month pilot program in Times Square and the subway station. This robot features a 360-degree video feed, 16 microphones, and a license plate reader to provide real-time incident notifications to emergency personnel. Commissioner Sewell confirms that neither the Digidog nor the K5 robot uses facial recognition technology.
In addition to the robots, the department reveals plans to test the StarChase GPS system, which functions as a high-tech dart gun to tag fleeing vehicles. This tool allows officers to track suspects without engaging in dangerous high-speed pursuits. Chief of Patrol John Chell explains that the technology directly addresses the recent influx of "ghost cars" with paper plates and the overall rise in vehicle thefts and related crimes.