Seattle Police Department has added a Boston Dynamics robot dog to its bomb squad, paying $360,000 for the machine ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The four-legged device comes equipped with 360-degree cameras, live video streaming, and mechanical arms capable of lifting and grasping objects.
It can climb stairs, squeeze through tight spaces, and even turn door handles — features the department says will help officers handle explosive threats from a safer distance. Funding for the first unit came from a FEMA grant combined with city money, though officials haven’t yet said where the cash for a second robot will come from.
That second purchase is expected before the year ends.
Local media outlets have raised questions about the program’s transparency and whether the investment makes sense. Bomb threats and actual explosions in the city have dropped compared to previous years, they note, and critics argue the department hasn’t clearly explained when or how the robots will be deployed.
For now, the mechanical canine sits ready as Seattle prepares for the global spotlight.
