Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to buy at least a million dollars worth of robots from Boston Dynamics, the company that makes the dog-like SPOT robots, with the purpose of improving “officer safety,” according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcement.
The news shows that ICE continues to spend millions of dollars on new technology. On Thursday, U.S. procurement records showed that ICE has contracted to buy 6,000 pairs of electric shock gloves for $16.7 million, the Associated Press reported.
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ICE “has a requirement to purchase Boston Dynamics SPOT Robots and accessories [sic] support public safety and law enforcement operations by providing a remotely operated robotic capability for inspection, situational awareness, and hazard assessment in environments that may pose risks to personnel,” the announcement reads. “This capability helps improve officer safety, supports informed operational decision-making, and enhances DHS’s ability to respond to incidents involving dangerous, confined, unstable, or difficult-to-access areas.”
Boston Dynamic’s now infamous robots are used by police departments all across the U.S. They are equipped with cameras for 360 degree views, can automatically open doors with their extendable arm, and can pick up objects. The Los Angeles Police Department used one of the robots to remotely pick up two imitation firearms. The New York Police Department cancelled its contract with Boston Dynamics following a public backlash.
ICE plans to spend between one and two million dollars on the robots, according to the announcement. The robots can cost starting at around $75,000, suggesting ICE plans to buy at least several of the devices.
“Boston Dynamics sells to many government agencies and public safety organizations and the robots are used to keep people out of harm’s way and aid first responders in assessing dangerous situations,” a Boston Dynamics spokesperson told 404 Media in an email. “Specific Spot applications typically include things like hazardous gas detection, unexploded ordnance inspection, suspicious package investigation, search and rescue, subterranean or confined space exploration, and structural assessments following fires, disaster events, and other hazards. Additionally we want to point out that any attempted weaponization of Boston Dynamics’ robots is strictly prohibited, as clearly outlined in our Terms and Conditions, our ethical principles, as well as in an open letter against weaponization, which was spearheaded by Boston Dynamics and co-signed by 5 other leading robotics companies.”
The company is also working on humanoid robots. Another robotics company, Foundation, recently reportedly pitched its own humanoid robot tech to DHS.
Update: this piece has been updated to include a statement from Boston Dynamics.
