Why Police Robots May Become the Future of Law Enforcement
AI-powered robots are becoming an increasingly common crime-fighting tool for police and other law enforcement agencies, but they will not replace people any time soon.
In Novato, California, police defused a nearly explosive standoff several years ago by granting one outrageous demand from a suspect: he wanted a cigarette. After a payment problem at a gas station, the man tried to set it on fire and demanded a cigarette to calm his nerves.
In a way, police met the demand, but instead of bringing him a cigarette he could use to start a fire, they brought him an electronic vape. It was delivered not by an officer but by a robot, which also brought a mobile phone for negotiations. The suspect was eventually arrested and charged with attempted arson and vandalism.
This is just one of many stories involving robots in law enforcement, whose popularity has only grown over the past few years. From issuing speeding tickets and patrolling streets to neutralizing armed suspects, they have become an effective crime-fighting tool that can save lives.
How Police Robots Can Save Lives
“If an officer enters a room and sees an armed criminal, they have no choice but to shoot. By adding time and distance between operators, you have added an element that can potentially reduce the number of victims”
In 2013, a robot helped police catch the terrorists at the Boston Marathon. A few years later, after a man killed five Dallas police officers and threatened to shoot from a parking garage, police decided to avoid further casualties and sent in C4 plastic explosives. Delivered by a Northrop Grumman robot, the material exploded and killed the suspect.
The Dallas police chief said at the time during a press conference that other options would have put officers in serious danger.
How Police Robots Are Joining the Army
In Chicago, robots have for years been helping the Cook County Sheriff's Office. Depending on the scenario, they can incapacitate or kill suspects using non-lethal and lethal weapons, such as bean bag rounds, stun guns and a 12-gauge shotgun.
Many of these police robots are purchased from manufacturers. Police departments also receive other helpers from the US Army through a Pentagon program called 1033.
It is still unknown whether they will improve or complicate police work if deployed on a large scale. But given that hundreds of police departments across the US and around the world have robots in their arsenals, these high-tech helpers are here to stay.
Let us look at several companies that make various robots for police and other law enforcement personnel.
Northrop Grumman Remotec
The Andros series of robots with cameras is designed for a variety of public safety purposes. Different models can maneuver in confined spaces, climb stairs, lift objects, accelerate over rough terrain and even use weapons.
ReconRobotics
Recon's ThrowBot 2 robot is built to do exactly what its name suggests: be thrown. The robot can be dropped repeatedly onto concrete from heights of up to nine meters, record and transmit audio and video in real time, crawl over various types of terrain, climb over obstacles and carry payloads of up to 1.8 kg.
Endeavour Robotics
Endeavour's product line for police and military includes: the throwable and extendable FirstLook, which can be used to explore and observe dangerous areas; a portable night-vision off-road vehicle that can carry a person, climb stairs and manipulate objects for mobile operations; Packbot for bomb disposal and surveillance; robots for hazardous materials; and the mobile Kobra.
Knightscope
The Knightscope series of stationary and mobile robot security guards monitors entrances and exits of buildings and venues hosting people. They understand human language in various environments, charge themselves, operate around the clock and cover large areas, including corporate campuses and hospitals.
SMP Robotics
The company makes robot guards equipped with high-definition cameras, long-range loudspeakers, autonomous vehicle control systems, and AI-based thermal and panoramic surveillance capabilities.
Cobalt Robotics
Cobalt robots are autonomous patrol machines that can detect potential risks, dismiss false alarms and alert response specialists to potential dangers. They even regularly send detailed reports on conditions and incidents.
SuperDroid Robots
SuperDroid products include robots for tactical applications. Features useful to law enforcement include remote observation, stair climbing, night vision, underwater maneuvering, security and patrol, bomb detection and much more.
