Four-legged yellow robot dog Spot joins WA Police’s tactical response group

A four-legged yellow robot dog dubbed “Spot” could help change the way WA Police respond to high-risk situations.

In an Australian-first initiative, the “highly agile” and “multipurpose” robot has joined the ranks of WA Police’s most specialised unit — the tactical response group.

From bomb scares to terrorist threats, police’s new $350,000 cutting-edge technology will allow officers to engage in high-risk and intense situations in a safer and more efficient manner, unlike other robots designed primarily for bomb response tasks.

Spot — controlled by a handler — is able to go up and down stairs at a fast pace, move in every direction and perform “pick up and carry” tasks as well as more complex tasks such as opening doors.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the “highly specialised piece of equipment” would be used by the tactical response group at “some of the most dangerous and volatile jobs that we ever have to face in police”.

Police Minister Paul Papalia, who was a former Navy clearance diver, said the technology “represents the latest version of capability for robotics in support of bomb disposal”.

“I was a bomb tech so I know what these guys have in terms of capability and it far exceeds anything that I was able to benefit from,” he said.

“The most valuable asset the TRG has when dealing with a bomb or any explosive device are the people.

“Bomb techs are the most valuable — anything we can do to protect them and get them further away from danger and explosive devices is a good thing. Essentially, it’s the latest version of adapting cutting edge technology to help policing, make it safer and more efficient, and keep our personal safe.”

Spot’s handler, Snr Const. Blair Moulton, said the new technology was “intuitive” and would allow officers to access places less advanced robots cannot get to.

“By using a quadruped system, it allows it to move over a variety of terrains which is off limits to the track or wheeled robots,” he said.