Trump’s new ‘bodyguard’: Meet Spot, the Robodog keeping an eye on the US President-elect’s Florida resort

The robodogs don’t have weapons and each can be controlled remotely or automatically.

“Safeguarding the president-elect is a top priority,” said Anthony Guglielmi, US Secret Service chief of communications, to the BBC.

Why are they using the robodogs?

The two assassination attempts and multiple security threats during the election campaigns might have prompted the US Secret Service to opt for a robotic solution to patrol Trump’s Palm Beach resort in Florida, says Ron Williams, a former Secret Service agent to the BBC.

As Mar-a-Lago is an exposed property, Williams said robotic dogs “can cover a lot more area than humans alone”, He expects they will become more of a common sight over time.

Not just the Secret Service but robotic dogs have increasingly become a common tool for militaries and law enforcement agencies around the world, William adds.

What can the robo do?

According to Boston Dynamics, a bomb squad in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania had purchased Spot in the spring for inspecting potential explosives. It can easily ascend a steep flight of stairs in seconds, unlike other bomb squad robots that only work on flat surfaces. Along with navigating tight spaces it can also open doors.

Not just this, the New York police department has also acquired the robo-canine for specific instances of high danger where human life cannot be jeopardized. Citizens called it “a dystopian overreach of police power,” according to a Wired article.

Montgomery County police with Spot the robo-dog. (Image: bostondynamics.com)

These hi-tech dogs have also been used by Ukraine to conduct military surveillance in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Kyiv Post reported.

Equipped with an option of a live video during reconnaissance, Spot’s cameras control the robot using a handheld tablet connected via Wi-Fi. Since Spot comes with cameras and can carry payloads, there’s no need for an officer to put on a heavy bomb suit to investigate, says the Boston Dynamics website.

The device is also capable of generating a 3D map of its surroundings and can also perform thermal sensing.

How much does the Spot cost?

Each Spot costs about $75,000 or Rs 63,31,218, with attached cameras and sensors bearing additional costs. Its ability to reveal potential threats makes it a desirable buy despite being an expensive investment.

The pros and cons

Robotic dogs aren’t distracted by visuals, sounds or smells during an encounter, unlike their human and real canine counterparts.

But despite their many impressive features, the device has its own limitations. They can be taken down if their cameras are blocked by spraying them.

Even though the current Spot model is not armed, its competitors are experimenting with models that can be, reports the BBC. At large its still not a fully automated robot and requires additional human assistance to operate.