Portland police unveil robotic dog for 'dangerous tactical incidents'.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Port of Portland Police Department and the Portland Police Bureau unveiled a new robot dog on Thursday that will be deployed for “dangerous tactical incidents."

The Agile Mobile Robot, under the model name 'Spot', is a four-legged robot made by Boston Dynamics – which also manufactures humanoid robots.

Authorities held a press conference at the Portland International Airport on Thursday to unveil the robot's capabilities.

“This is the kind of thing that will go to disasters, man-made and natural disasters,” PPB Sergeant Kevin Allen said. “This is the kind of thing that is used for situations where there may be explosive devices, or an armed suspect, or another situation where we don’t want to put police officers and members of the public at risk of being hurt or killed.”

“People will be seeing this deployed in significant public safety tactical situations throughout the metro area,” Allen added.

Officials said 'Spot' has been configured to work with technology at PDX and will be operated by trained members of the Metropolitan Explosives Disposal Unit -- a regional bomb squad, consisting of 16 bomb technicians and seven explosive detection K9 teams.

“The MEDU has utilized robots in our work for over two decades. These robots are used primarily for investigating and disabling hazardous and potentially hazardous items without sending a human into that dangerous environment," explained Sgt. Jim DeFrain, team leader of Portland’s MEDU.

The robots are used by trained negotiators who use the robot to listen and speak to subjects without approaching them, officials said, noting this leads to safer outcomes for police, the suspect, and the community.

“The idea to pursue this grant funding for ‘Spot’ came a couple years ago as our team was working closely with the Port of Portland on a number of safety measures and response protocols. The team here at PDX allowed us early access to the new terminal area and to conduct some scenarios where we would respond with robots," DeFraine said, noting 'Spot' was purchased with help from a Department of Homeland Security and FEMA grant.

“What I think the public doesn’t understand is behind this beautiful terminal, is a very busy city made of concrete, steel, and radio waves," DeFraine said, "The access back there is not always optimal, and our standard robots can have a difficult time both moving around and maintaining contact with their controller.”