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New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) unveiled on Tuesday several robots that will help officers keep the Big Apple safe.
One of these robots is Digidog, a robot police dog that was retired by the previous mayor due to criticism.
"Today we are announcing three new policing technologies in New York City: the K5 autonomous security robot; the Spot, Digidog robot; and the StarChase GPS attachment system," Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at a press conference in Times Square.
The city has purchased two Digidogs with various accessories - such as a gas detector - for 750,000 dollars and will lease the two other technologies to run a pilot test starting this summer for 1,750 dollars a month.
"I operate on looking at what's best for the city," the mayor noted.
"And the three we are mentioning today is only the beginning. We are looking at the new forms of public safety."
Artificial intelligence
The K5 robot is equipped with several cameras, sensors and artificial intelligence, allowing it to provide real-time information to officers.
This technology has been used in various areas of the US and has helped, among other things, with mall shootings.
According to the NYPD, after six months of testing the robot will patrol both Times Square and its subway stations.
Chasing fleeing vehicles
The StarChase system works by attaching a GPS suction cup - either manually or by launching it from a vehicle - to a fleeing vehicle and the tool allows the vehicle to be tracked in real time.
This technology will help NYPD officers to remotely follow a car, thus avoiding a vehicle chase through the streets of New York.
Digidogs with cameras to patrol the streets
For their part, the Digidogs, which have already passed the pilot test, will be incorporated into the NYPD directly.
This yellow robot manufactured by Boston Dynamics was criticized by several civil rights advocates and the previous administration, headed by Bill de Blasio, stopped using it before handing it over to the fire department.
NYPD noted that none of these tools have facial recognition.