Robotic dogs set to make a comeback to New York police department despite earlier criticism

Nearly two years after discontinuing the use of the controversial robot dog, the New York Police Department (NYPD) is bringing it back.The usage of Digidog was viewed by New Yorkers as an unnecessary and uncomfortable expansion of severe policing in April 2021, so the city's law enforcement officials sent the robot back to Boston Dynamics, its maker.

In December 2020, the police department made their initial announcementof the Digidog. It had generated criticism because of its striking resemblance to a fictitious dystopian killer robot dog that was shown in a Black Mirror episode.

The Digidog will be reintroduced, according to NYC mayor Eric Adams, who added during a press conference on Tuesday that it can "save lives". The Digidog will be used for "assessing hazardous situations" in the city.

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"In terms of public safety, the New York City Police Department has always been in the forefront. They improve, assess, and develop fresh approaches to safeguard our city,"Adams tweeted on Wednesday.

Critics compared Digidog to a surveillance drone, following its use by law enforcement in a home invasion in the Bronx in 2021, raising concerns that it would be employed as a dystopian overseer by the police.

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“A few loud people were opposed to it, and we took a step back – that is not how I operate. I operate on looking at what’s best for the city.” Adams said in an announcement on Wednesday, adding that the “technology is here”.

In a tweet from 2021, New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticised the usage of the robot dog for "testing on low-income communities of colour with under-resourced schools."

“Shout out to everyone who fought against community advocates who demanded these resources go to investments like school counselling instead,” she had tweeted.

Then, the NYPD quickly withdrew its $94,000 lease agreement with Boston Dynamics.

However, it appears that the police department will now spend a total of $750,000 on two robot dogs.

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According to the police, who spoke to the NYT, the Digidogs will only be deployed in life-threatening circumstances, including bomb threats.

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