Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office adds robot dog ‘Spot’ to Bomb and Hazardous Device Disposal Unit

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has announced the acquisition of Spot, described as “an agile inspection robot developed by Boston Dynamics and upfitted by RADeCO Inc., for use in the Bomb and Hazardous Device Disposal Unit.”

The robot will be used during high-risk operations, including bomb detection and disposal, urban search and rescue, and hazardous materials situations.

The sheriff’s office said that Spot surpasses conventional bomb disposal robots due to its maneuverability. It is also equipped with a state-of-the-art 360° camera system that allows it to clear dangerous situations.

“We are thrilled to welcome Spot to our team,” said Sheriff Sean Kilkenny. “Its advanced capabilities will greatly enhance our ability to respond to and mitigate potential threats, ultimately ensuring the safety of our community.”

The decision to acquire Spot came after a demonstration by Boston Dynamics last spring, where deputies led by Lt. Al Stewart, head of the bomb squad, were trained on the device.

Spot will not be equipped with any fixed lethal weapon system or facial recognition software or analysis capabilities, as prohibited by a sheriff’s office policy.

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Photo: RADēCO, may not be the same robot dog