Topeka Police Department acquires new robot dog

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Topeka Police Department (TPD) is introducing a new robot dog 'Pepe' to its force.

The TPD said in a social media post on Aug. 7 the robot dog is a Go2 Pro from Unitree Robotics that cost the city $5,360. Unitree Robotics is a start-up company focused on the development, production and sale of high-performance quadruped robots. It is one of the earliest companies to publicly sell such robots.

"“Pepe” the robot dog is used in situations where officers would need to get more information and insight into a dangerous area, without putting an officer or a living K9 in danger," said City of Topeka Director of Communications Dan Garrett. "The robot dog has cameras, a microphone, and sensors to map out the room in front of it. Officers can speak through the speaker to talk to individuals from a safe distance."

These robot dogs are capable of 4D LIDAR L1 mapping/recognition, artificial intelligence processing and can even do tricks like rolling over, sitting down and shaking hands. One of these dogs was used to transport discuses and javelins on the field at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

"The robot dog allows officers to make better informed decisions on how to address the particular threat the officer faces," Garrett said. "Pepe is also an attention-grabber for hiring fairs, and community outreach events. It shows potential officers that the Topeka Police Department is on the cutting edge of technology."

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