By deploying autonomous robots, the goal is to keep officers safe while dismantling equipment in drug labs by Jijo Malayil
Police and search and rescue forces worldwide are increasingly using robots to assist in carrying out their operations.
Now, the Dutch police are looking at employing AI-powered autonomous robot dogs in drug lab raids to protect officers from criminal risks, hazardous chemicals, and explosions.
The police force in the Netherlands carries out such raids at least three to four times a week. By deploying autonomous robots, it aims to keep officers out of harm’s way while dismantling various equipment in drug labs.
“When the lab is in operation, and you stop it, it can explode. Normally, if people go in wearing protective clothing and that sort of stuff, but then they cannot move so fast, they can only work for 20 minutes,” Simon Prins, from the Politie Nederland, told New Scientist.
Autonomous robot raids
Since 2021, the force has already been using a Spot quadruped, fitted with a robotic arm, from Boston Dynamics to carry out drug raids and surveillance. However, the Spot is remotely controlled by a handler.
The robotic dog has been helpful since it can pass through doors and other small impediments. It does this by using cameras and other sensors. An agent using a remote control operates its highly dexterous robotic arm to accomplish the desired tasks.
In recent years, quadruped robots have undergone significant technological advancements, enabling them to navigate various terrains, endure extreme temperatures, and carry out more complex tasks. This has prompted the Dutch force to explore fully autonomous operations with Spot.
Reportedly, such AI-enabled autonomous robots are expected to inspect drug labs, ensure no criminals are present, map the area, and identify dangerous chemicals.
This approach aims to prevent injuries that officers have suffered in the past. After the robots complete their tasks, officers can then plan a safe dismantling process.
Initial tests by force suggest that Spot could explore and map a mock drug lab measuring 15 meters by 20 meters. It was able to find hazardous chemicals and put them away into a designated storage container.
According to Prins, although utilizing autonomous robots raises legitimate safety and political concerns requiring extensive testing, if all goes according to plan, the Spot dog will eventually be tested in actual drug lab raids.
Dynamic robotic solution
Boston Dynamics’ Spot enables operators to design autonomous inspections that will consistently and dependably gather the asset and site data teams require to function more efficiently.
Spot can do laser scans and visual, thermal, radiation, and acoustic inspections using add-on payloads and onboard cameras.
Unlike stationary sensors, Spot can be re-deployed to other locations or with different sensors as needed. With this dynamic approach to sensing, operators can easily integrate automated data gathering into their current infrastructure and processes.
Aiding in such missions, Spot’s combined arm and gripper allow it to lift and carry objects weighing up to 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) and drag objects weighing up to 50 pounds (22.6 kilograms) while most robots have simple grippers, if any.
While law enforcement organizations have been using robots to investigate and neutralize suspicious items for years, the process has always been slow. Roads, transit hubs, airports, and educational institutions may consequently be closed for hours at a time—often due to false warnings.