Police and search and rescue services around the world are increasingly using robots to assist in their operations. Dutch police are now considering using autonomous robot dogs with artificial intelligence in raids on drug laboratories to protect officers from crime risks, dangerous chemicals and explosions.

Dutch police conduct such raids at least three to four times a week. Using autonomous robots, it aims to protect officers from danger while dismantling various equipment in pharmaceutical laboratories.

“When you stop it while the laboratory is running, it may explode. Normally if people wear protective clothing and things like that, but they can’t move that fast, they can only work for 20 minutes,” Politie Nederland’s Simon Prins told New Scientist.

Autonomous robot raids

Since 2021 forces are already using the quadruped Stainequipped with a robotic arm, Boston Dynamics to conduct raids and track drugs. However, Spot is controlled remotely by a handler.

The robotic dog was useful because it could pass through doors and other small obstacles. This is done with the help of cameras and other sensors. The agent uses a remote control to control the highly capable robotic arm to perform desired tasks.

In recent years, quadruped robots have undergone significant technological advancements that allow them to navigate different terrains, withstand extreme temperatures, and perform more complex tasks. This prompted Dutch forces to explore fully autonomous operations with Spot.

It is reported that such autonomous robots supported by artificial intelligence will inspect drug laboratories, verify that criminals are not present, map the area and detect dangerous chemicals. This approach aims to prevent injuries that officers have experienced in the past. Once the robots complete their tasks, attendants can plan a safe disassembly.

Initial power tests show that Spot can survey and map a 15 x 20 meter simulated pharmaceutical laboratory. He managed to find dangerous chemicals and place them in a special container for storage.

Although the use of autonomous robots raises legal, safety and political issues that require large-scale testing, the Spot dog will eventually be tested in actual drug lab raids if all goes as planned, according to Prince.

A dynamic robotic solution

Boston Dynamics’ Spot enables operators to develop autonomous controls that will consistently and reliably collect data about assets and facilities that teams need to work more effectively. Spot can perform visual, thermal, radiation and acoustic inspections as well as laser scanning with additional payloads and onboard cameras.

Unlike fixed sensors, Spot can be relocated to other locations or together with other sensors as needed. With this dynamic approach to sensing, operators can easily integrate automated data collection into their existing infrastructure and processes.

Assisting with such tasks, Spot’s combined arm and gripper allow it to lift and carry objects weighing up to 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) and drag objects weighing up to 50 pounds (22.6 kilograms), while most robots have They have simple pleasures.

Although law enforcement has been using robots for years to investigate and eliminate suspicious objects, the process has always been slow. Roads, public transport hubs, airports and schools can be closed for hours, often due to false warnings.