On behalf of the Metro Explosives Disposal Unit, the Port of Portland Police Department and the Portland Police Bureau are introducing a new advanced robot that will be deployed this month.
The Agile Mobile Robot, model name "Spot," is a 4-legged robot manufactured by Boston Dynamics. The robot is assigned to the Metro Explosives Disposal Unit (MEDU), which is a team of law enforcement officers who respond to explosives-related incidents in the Portland metropolitan area. MEDU members are trained to deal with chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats.
The Spot robot, as a quadruped, has the ability to navigate difficult terrain with little input. It can climb stairs, pick up items, open doors, and navigate obstacles with single commands. It is operated by remote control by a police officer. It is not operated by artificial intelligence, but has some limited collision avoidance technology.
Climbing a flight of stairs can be difficult for a traditional tracked robot, but Spot is able to traverse most stairs with very little delay. It does not replace any K9 units or robots that we have, but it gives emergency responders additional options.
This robot was purchased after conducting some scenario testing in the new Portland International Airport terminal prior to it being opened. The MEDU recognized we needed something that could navigate the complex airport environment both in terrain and communications, as well as other dangerous areas through the metro area where a potential explosive, hazardous material, or armed suspect is believed to be.
It will be useful in any situation where a tracked robot can have difficulty with access, such as stairs, uneven terrain, airplanes, mass transit, and areas that have been damaged by natural or man-made disasters. It can carry tools to investigate suspicious items, monitor air quality, etc. It can also be used to assist in critical incidents where it is unsafe for police officers to go (i.e. armed suspect, terrorism). It has cameras and microphones so it can scout locations and be a conduit for communications from a distance. It will not be used for patrol use and it is unarmed.
The Spot robot was purchased in November of 2024 for approximately $150,000 using grant funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Urban Areas Security Initiative. It weighs about 75 pounds, is about 2 1/2 feet tall and 4 feet long. It has an arm accessory that can be used to move objects or open doors.
Source: Portland Police