The NYPD is investing nearly $400,000 in a robot that somewhat resembles Wall-E, which may face some risks.
This Packbot 525, developed by a defense firm based in Brooklyn called Flir, has been put to use by the department’s emergency services unit, according to reports.
“It features a remarkable mechanical arm,” a police source shared. “It can pick up weapons. Imagine a suspect barricaded with a knife; you could communicate through the robot.”
“You can open a door and grab a knife or a gun,” the source added.
The city is allocating about $390,000 for these advanced tech companions.
In situations involving bomb threats, the robot will act as the first response unit, allowing police to move suspicious packages from a safe distance for closer inspection. While you can’t actually use weapons through it, it does help clear rooms, relay video and audio, and “protect officers.”
Equipped with an HD camera, better lighting, and a laser rangefinder, the bot can lift up to 44 pounds, as claimed by the manufacturer.
It’s designed for bomb disposal, surveillance, scouting, and even detecting harmful substances, and it can be conveniently stored in a vehicle.
“The new robots will enhance ESU officials’ command and control during incidents,” a spokesperson from the NYPD noted. “You can utilize the robot to maneuver around obstacles and scan for anyone in need of assistance.”
Over recent years, the NYPD has been gradually adding advanced technology to its operations.
This year, they introduced Digidog, a 70-pound robotic dog intended for use in risky situations, after putting the brakes on an earlier model that faced criticism.
Sources within the NYPD mentioned that the Packbot “is quite similar to Digidog, but more sophisticated,” which makes it useful in hostage situations.
“The ESU is really eager for this,” the source remarked.
In 2023, they even tested a 400-pound self-driving security robot in Times Square, but decided to discard it just four months later.
Additionally, they bought 14 “Bot Throw” devices last year, which can be thrown into active scenes to capture live audio and video.
Flir specializes in thermal imaging technology and joined forces with California’s defense and electronics giant Teledyne Technologies in 2021.
