Robo the dog is now used by the LVMPD

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A new high-tech crime-fighting tool is being used for the first time here in the Vegas Valley. Metro says it has the potential to save the lives of both officers and their K9 partners.

Robo the dog is Metro’s newest K9. Although it lacks fur, the four-legged machine the size of a golden retriever is a loyal companion who listens to every command. The spot model built by Boston Dynamics does not yet have an official name from Metro.

“We just call him the Spot or Boston Dog. No new nickname yet. He still hasn’t earned it,” Detective Breck Hodson claimed.

Like a puppy, he’s in training, but he can already do all kinds of impressive tricks. With its snake-like head that doubles as an arm, it can be fetched. With a command sent through the tablet controller, it can rotate. Unlike real dogs, it can see in the dark. Its tail consists of a 360-degree camera system including infrared.

“If I need to detect someone hiding behind something, I can switch to infrared mode and they should be able to see it,” Hodson explained.

FOX5 met the robo dog while on a walk at National Night Out in the Arts District, where other dogs weren’t so sure about it, but the kids were big fans. His main manager is also a big fan.

“When we started this, I never thought we’d have this kind of technology,” Hodson revealed. Hodson has been working with the robot dog since it arrived a few months ago and says the technology is easy to use.

“I control, but it also helps me by reading the environment itself and avoiding certain things,” Hodson described.

The robot dog receives commands via Wi-Fi, but there is also a backup network.

“A mesh radio network system on any of our tactical deployments that would allow me to operate it at greater distance and greater range,” Hodson said.

Like a real police dog, the robot dog can detect things like explosives.

“I can attach … sensors and monitors to it … and we can see what we have,” Hodson stated. The main task of the Robo dog: SWAT operations, enter first during confrontations and protect the lives of officers and real dogs from suspects ready to attack.

In March, Metro K9 Officer Enzo was dispatched to a standoff at a motel and was stabbed multiple times. A police helicopter takes the dog to a vet across the valley, saving its life.

Now the robot dog can be used in these most dangerous situations.

“If we can get it in without having to introduce a human being, a fellow officer or even a K9 officer … we’ll try to do that,” Hodson stated.

Massachusetts State Police say their robot dog was shot multiple times during a standoff at a home earlier this year, and the distraction allowed them to fire tear gas inside, prompting the suspect to surrender . Although the robot dog’s life ended, no real dogs or officers were injured. The robo police dog has successfully completed its mission.

Metro says the robot dog is far more advanced than any of its previous robots. Boston Dynamics’ spot model starts at $75,000. Metro bought theirs through grants.

He will be dispatched to assist other law enforcement agencies with SWAT situations in Southern Nevada.