Spot, the robot dog, joins Trump’s security detail
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A Secret Service officer interacting with robotics dog Spot at US President-elect Donald Trump's residence at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Nov 12.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL - Spot, the four-legged robotics dog developed by Boston Dynamics, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, has reportedly joined the security detail for US President-elect Donald Trump.
The US$75,000 (S$100,400) mechanical canine, which bears a cautionary tag that reads “do not pet”, was seen patrolling the grounds of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. News reports said that the remote-controlled dog is with the US Secret Service.
“We do not have specific details on Boston Dynamics’ transactions. But it appears that the Secret Service made the purchase,” said an official from Hyundai’s Seoul headquarters.
Equipped with cameras, microphones and sensors, Spot is capable of performing surveillance missions and can be deployed in hazardous environments such as toxic sites and even military operations.
Boston Dynamics sells Spot primarily to businesses, research institutions and government entities.
The robotic hound can be leased for specific projects, as was the case with the New York Police Department.
Named Digidogs by the police, the robots responded to home invasions and hostage situations until the lease was terminated after less than a year in 2021 due to public backlash.
However, officials reiterated the importance of such high-tech tools and purchased another two Digidogs in 2023.
In 2020, Hyundai Motor invested US$880 million to acquire an 80 per cent stake in Boston Dynamics. The robotics arm is gearing up for an initial public offering on the tech-heavy Nasdaq in 2025. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
