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Massachusetts State Police are extending their gratitude to a robotic canine named Roscoe for its role in preventing a potential disaster during a standoff in a Barnstable residence.
Roscoe, a member of the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad, was deployed on March 6th alongside two other bomb-disposal robots to enter a home from which police had received gunfire.
These mechanical operatives, with Roscoe in their company, were tasked to locate the individual responsible.
Operated from a distance by the state troopers, Roscoe scoured the primary levels of the house before discovering an individual in the basement.
This person, armed with a rifle, managed to topple Roscoe twice, then fired at it three times, ultimately severing its ability to communicate.
Following this, the individual also fired shots at another robot and an outdoor pool. The situation culminated when police dispersed tear gas into the premises and took the individual into custody.
Police statement
“The incident provided a stark example of the benefits of mobile platforms capable of opening doors and ascending stairs in tactical missions involving armed suspects,” state police said in a statement. “In addition to providing critically important room clearance and situational awareness capabilities, the insertion of Roscoe into the suspect residence prevented the need, at that stage of response, from inserting human operators, and may have prevented a police officer from being involved in an exchange of gunfire.”
A word from Boston Dynamics
Boston Dynamics, the company that made the robotic dog known as a SPOT robot, said in a statement that it was the first time one of them had been shot.
“We are relieved that the only casualty that day was our robot,” the company said. “It’s a great example of how mobile robots like Spot can be used to save lives.”
Authorities have not identified the shooter or said what charges they face.
The robotic dog was sent to Boston Dynamics to remove the bullets. It will remain with the company and a new unit will be sent to state police.
Original reporting here.
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