The NYPD Reintroduces Robot Dogs: This Month in Gear News

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced that the New York Police Department (NYPD) will soon use semi-autonomous robotic dogs for law enforcement. The announcement comes nearly two years after the NYPD’s first attempt. They discontinued the attempt to use a robot dog with a camera following public outcry. Who were concerned that it was an overreach of police power.

However, Mayor Adams, a former NYPD captain, is now moving the program forward again.

The NYPD will acquire two of Boston Dynamics’ controversial Spot bots. While the robot dogs have autonomous capabilities, the NYPD has stated that these units will not be patrolling the streets by themselves for now.

Instead, the NYPD will deploy them in specific instances where human life is at high risk. Such as bomb disposal or search and rescue operations. The cost of each Spot robot will be approximately $75,000. With additional expenses for the cameras and sensors attached to their bodies.

In addition to Spot, the NYPD is also testing a human-sized Knightscope K5 robot that is equipped with cameras, sensors, and speakers. The K5 is designed to patrol and monitor its surroundings to deter break-ins and vandalism.

However, similar to the robot dogs, the K5 has faced opposition in public testing, with some people reportedly attacking it. Letting more of these robots roam the crowded streets of New York or subway stations may result in further resistance from the public.

The latest news by NYPD

Google has announced an update to Maps that will help outdoor enthusiasts navigate the sprawling US national park system. With more detailed directions on bike routes, trails, and campgrounds, users will have a better idea of what a hike entails.

The update will highlight whole trail routes, making it easier to plan outdoor adventures. Google plans to release the updates in April for US national parks and will slowly add parks across the world in the next few months. Get ready to explore the great outdoors with the help of Google Maps!

What is iOSwiftKey?

Last week, Microsoft introduced its generative-AI-powered Bing Chat bot to SwiftKey. It’s a popular app for typing on your phone using gestures and swipes. Initially, the update was only available for Android, but they have now added it to the iOS version as well.

SwiftKey had a rocky relationship with iOS in the past, with Microsoft removing the app from the App Store last year before reinstating it. The integration of Bing’s chat bot adds a touch of machine intelligence to the popular keyboard app.

Conclusion

As technology continues to advance, it is no surprise that law enforcement agencies and outdoor enthusiasts alike are incorporating artificial intelligence into their operations. While the use of robotic dogs and human-sized robots may face public scrutiny, it’s clear that their potential for saving lives and improving safety cannot be ignored.

At the same time, Google Maps’ new update will make exploring national parks more accessible and enjoyable for all. It’s exciting to see how AI is changing the way we interact with the world around us.