Digidog robot dog in service with the New York Police Department is causing concern among the public
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2025 8:20 am
A month ago, the New York City Police Department used a robotic dog, the Digidog, from Boston Dynamics, in a rescue operation. The robot dog was found to bear a striking resemblance to characters from Netflix's Black Mirror. The incident caused a mixed reaction. Now the country wants to adopt the world's first law on robots.
The proposal was made after the hostage-taking in the Bronx by one of the members of the New York City Council, Ben Kallos. He was confused that there are currently no specified cases for the use of armed robots. And, accordingly, there is no certainty that the circumstances of using such a tool will be appropriate. Therefore, Kallos proposes to ban the use of weapons in police robots.
New York is not proposing a global ban on the use of robots to fight crime. But there is a very specific desire to limit the use of armed service robots. The possible bill will not apply to Digidog.
What the public thinks
The initiative immediately provoked a public reaction. Criticism was voiced by ethics experts and robotics specialists. They saw in the legislators’ reference concerns about the growing trend towards the militarization malta number data of the police. And, perhaps, to a hypothetical repetition of the scary scenarios from the Black Mirror series with uncontrollable and highly intelligent robots. What else scares them? Now the police have easy access to robotic solutions through private suppliers. Nothing limits them.
There is also a version in the public that even a safe Digidog can easily become deadly. Patrick Lin, director of the Ethics and Emerging Sciences Group at California Polytechnic University, shared with CIA officials his concerns about the easy availability of armed robots. According to Lin, robots can save lives for police officers, but one should not let down one's guard so that the police do not get a false sense of permissiveness.
The Bronx population has mixed reactions to the event. Some are against the use of robots. Others believe that robots can prevent police from wrongdoing against suspects. Still others are in favor of arming robots with flamethrowers.
What else is known?
A month ago, during a hostage situation in the Bronx, police used a robot from Boston Dynamic to gather information about the house where the hostages were being held. Equipped with remote-controlled surveillance cameras, the robot inspected shelters and narrow crevices. The operation was successful. The police were able to detain the suspects.
The proposal was made after the hostage-taking in the Bronx by one of the members of the New York City Council, Ben Kallos. He was confused that there are currently no specified cases for the use of armed robots. And, accordingly, there is no certainty that the circumstances of using such a tool will be appropriate. Therefore, Kallos proposes to ban the use of weapons in police robots.
New York is not proposing a global ban on the use of robots to fight crime. But there is a very specific desire to limit the use of armed service robots. The possible bill will not apply to Digidog.
What the public thinks
The initiative immediately provoked a public reaction. Criticism was voiced by ethics experts and robotics specialists. They saw in the legislators’ reference concerns about the growing trend towards the militarization malta number data of the police. And, perhaps, to a hypothetical repetition of the scary scenarios from the Black Mirror series with uncontrollable and highly intelligent robots. What else scares them? Now the police have easy access to robotic solutions through private suppliers. Nothing limits them.
There is also a version in the public that even a safe Digidog can easily become deadly. Patrick Lin, director of the Ethics and Emerging Sciences Group at California Polytechnic University, shared with CIA officials his concerns about the easy availability of armed robots. According to Lin, robots can save lives for police officers, but one should not let down one's guard so that the police do not get a false sense of permissiveness.
The Bronx population has mixed reactions to the event. Some are against the use of robots. Others believe that robots can prevent police from wrongdoing against suspects. Still others are in favor of arming robots with flamethrowers.
What else is known?
A month ago, during a hostage situation in the Bronx, police used a robot from Boston Dynamic to gather information about the house where the hostages were being held. Equipped with remote-controlled surveillance cameras, the robot inspected shelters and narrow crevices. The operation was successful. The police were able to detain the suspects.