New York City Fire Department Aims to Save More Lives with Robot Dogs

The New York City Fire Department is deploying robot dogs to help in saving more lives.

Boston Dynamics’ $75,000 robot dog named “Spot” will be especially useful in dangerous search-and-rescue missions where the very lives of the city’s firefighters may be at a higher risk.

Spot is a semi-autonomous four-legged robot with many capabilities that suit industrial applications, security and data collection functions, and public safety programs.

The robot dog is provided with an intuitive tablet that serves as its remote control. It can be automated to perform inspection tasks, data-gathering, digital twins production, and other heavy responsibilities.

Equipped with perception sensors that include stereo and depth cameras and an inertial measurement unit along with position/force sensors in its four legs, Spot can navigate difficult terrains with little or no human intervention.

What is more, an extension arm has been added to Spot which enables it to open a door, lift an object, flip a switch, or grip and drag a cinder block. This arm is also equipped with a color camera which makes inspection more convenient since it is movable unlike the stationary cameras on Spot’s front and rear ends. This additional feature also has LEDs for lighting purposes and a Time of Flight sensor to aid depth imaging.

According to Boston Dynamics, they have already sold more than 400 Spot units which perform various duties in hazardous sites like mines, nuclear plants, off-shore oil fields, and construction areas.

Even though there had been a controversy involving the New York Police Department and the Spot they leased from Boston Dynamics, the FDNY believes that their use of Spot units to aid in risky rescue missions will help in saving more lives and in safeguarding their own rescuers.

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