A robotic dog named Spot, developed by Boston Dynamics, has recently been incorporated into the defense framework of the U.S. Secret Service, according to a report on Reuters, Spot was recently observed patrolling the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the club and residence of President-elect Donald Trump.
The robotic dog is unarmed and currently offers two modes of operation: remote control and autonomous navigation along a pre-programmed path. Each leg bears a clear warning to onlookers: "Please do not pet."
Spot is renowned for its impressive capabilities: it can go up and down stairs, maneuver through tight spaces, and even open doors. It is equipped with advanced cameras that create a 3D map of its surroundings, and there is an option to add thermal sensors and additional accessories.
Given that it's 2024, Spot has naturally attracted attention on social media, with a recent video of the robot moving around the estate going viral. However, if you ask American security agencies, its mission is far from amusing. "Safeguarding the president-elect is a top priority," Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesperson, told the BBC.
Lessons from assassination attempts
In the months leading up to the U.S. presidential elections, Trump was targeted in two assassination attempts—one in July during a rally in Pennsylvania and another in September on his Florida golf course. Trump's estate is vast (approximately 17 acres), and it seems that the Secret Service decided to bolster security at this sensitive site with the addition of the robot.
Ron Williams, a former Secret Service agent and CEO of Talon Risk Management, told the BBC that the recent assassination attempts on Trump highlighted the need for a technological upgrade to help identify and thwart such threats. However, the Secret Service has declined to provide details about the use of Spot.
Man's new best friend?
In recent years, robotic dogs have become a prevalent operational tool across a wide range of fields—bomb disposal units use these robots to inspect suspicious packages, and the New York Police Department has even integrated them into its force. These "dogs" are also utilized on the front lines; for example, in Ukraine, they serve as reconnaissance tools in the conflict against Russia.
While these robots are typically operated remotely by a human handler or perform pre-programmed automatic actions, Boston Dynamics is already working on the next advancement—integrating artificial intelligence into the robot to make it smarter and more autonomous than ever before. In a video released by the company about a year ago, the robot is shown "adopting" various personalities dictated to it through prompts, subsequently acting as a tour guide at the company headquarters, tailoring its speech based on what it detects on the ground.
Wish to own one? You'll be pleased to know that Spot has been available for purchase since 2020. However, you might be less excited to learn its price—approximately $75,000 for the basic model, which includes two batteries, a charger, and a specialized tablet for controlling the robot.
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