Miami Police Unveil New Remote-Controlled Robot

Police in Miami unveiled a new remote-controlled robot named SPOT on Wednesday, May 31.

Footage released by Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) shows officers operating SPOT, which the department said would be used by its Special Response Team.

“A trained police officer operates the robot through a simple touch screen pad offering a number of capabilities, including two way communications, opening doors, retrieving objects, climbing stairs and offering visual feedback to the operator,” an officer says in the video. “SPOT will be utilised on all barricaded subject and hostage rescue incidents where there is a value in introducing technology to gain valuable information rather than placing officers in harms way.” Credit: Miami-Dade Police Department via Storyful

Video transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING]

FRANCIS REGO: I'm Lieutenant Francis Rego of the Miami-Dade Police Department's Special Response Team. I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to SPOT, our latest piece of technological equipment to better serve the residents of Miami-Dade County. SPOT is the next evolution in robot control robotics already in use by the Miami-Dade Police Department.

A trained police officer operates the robot through a simple touchscreen pad, offering a number of capabilities including two-way communications.

- Sir, are you OK? Do you need any help or assistance?

FRANCIS REGO: Opening doors, retrieving objects, climbing stairs, and offering visual feedback to the operator. SPOT will be utilized on all barricaded subject and hostage-rescue incidents, where there is a value in introducing technology to gain valuable information rather than placing officers in harm's way. SPOT can also be utilized during search-and-rescue operations and to identify hazardous materials and devices in order to prevent harm to the community.