If you're homeless and looking for a temporary shelter in Hawaii's capital, expect a visit from a robotic police dog that will scan your eyes to make sure you don't have a fever. That's just one of the ways public safety agencies are starting to use Spot, a new robot that runs around with quick movement.
The police officials experimenting with the four-legged machines say they're just another tool to keep emergency responders out of harm's way as they search for dangers.
Joseph O'Neal, an officer of the Honolulu Police Department, said the robot has protected officers, shelter staff and residents by scanning body temperatures between mealtimes at a shelter where homeless people could quarantine (隔离) and get tested for COVID-19. The robot is also used to remotely interview individuals who have tested positive.
The company that makes the robots, Boston Dynamics, says it's trying to do a good job of explaining to the public and its customers what Spot can and cannot do. "One of the most difficult tasks is accurately explaining the state of the technology to people who have never had personal experience with it," said Michael Perry, vice president of the company.
There are roughly 500 Spot robots now in the wild. Perry said they're commonly used by companies to check dangerous areas. Spot is also used to monitor construction sites, mines and factories, equipped with whatever sensor is needed for the job.
It's still mostly controlled by humans, though all they have to do is tell it which direction to go and it can climb stairs or cross over rough areas. It can also operate autonomously, but only if it's already memorized a road and there aren't too many surprise obstacles (障碍). "The first value that most people see in the robot is taking a person out of a dangerous situation," Perry said.
