NYPD’s New Crime Fighting Technologies Digidog, K5 and StarChase

Hey, Structon here, and welcome to another episode of RoboTalk, where I explore the latest and greatest in robotics and AI. In this video, I’m going to talk about the NYPD’s new crime-fighting technologies: Digidog, K5 and StarChase. These are some of the most advanced and controversial robots that are being used by law enforcement agencies around the world. How do they work? What are their benefits and drawbacks? And how do they compare to other robots like Ameca, Sophia, Atlas and Tesla Bot? Let’s find out!

Digidog is a four-legged robot that can run, climb stairs, open doors and carry payloads. It is designed by Boston Dynamics, the same company that makes the famous Spot robot. Digidog is equipped with cameras, sensors and a two-way communication system that allows it to be remotely controlled by an operator. It can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, hostage situations, bomb disposal and other dangerous scenarios. The NYPD has deployed Digidog in several operations since 2020, but it has also faced criticism from civil rights groups and activists who fear that it could violate privacy and human dignity. Learn more about Digidog here.

K5 is a large autonomous security robot that can patrol sensitive and confined areas. It is designed by Knightscope, a company that specializes in security robots. K5 has a sleek and futuristic design that resembles a Dalek from Doctor Who. It has cameras, microphones, speakers, sirens, lights and a thermal sensor that allow it to detect and report anomalies. It can also communicate with humans using voice and text messages. K5 can be used for crime prevention, detection and response in places like airports, malls, stadiums and campuses. The NYPD plans to test K5 as a pilot program in the subway system. Learn more about K5 here.

StarChase is a GPS tracking device that can be launched from a patrol car onto a fleeing vehicle. It is designed by StarChase LLC, a company that provides pursuit management solutions. StarChase consists of a launcher mounted on the front of the patrol car and a projectile that contains a GPS tag and an adhesive material. When the officer activates StarChase, the launcher fires the projectile at the target vehicle, which sticks to it and sends its location to a secure web portal. This allows the officer to track the vehicle remotely without engaging in a high-speed chase that could endanger lives and property. StarChase can be used for stolen car recovery, ghost vehicle identification and suspect apprehension. The NYPD plans to test StarChase as a pilot program in select precincts. Learn more about StarChase here.

These are some of the new technologies that the NYPD is using to fight crime in the 21st century. But are they really effective and ethical? How do they impact public safety and civil liberties? And how do they address the labour shortage in the security industry that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic? According to one source, there will be a shortfall of more than 60,000 security officers in the UK this year, while another source reports that defense firms in the US are struggling to hire new personnel amid a hiring boom. Could robots like Digidog, K5 and StarChase fill this gap and provide better security services than humans? Or could they create more problems than they solve?

In this video, I will explore these questions and more with the help of experts, researchers, and activists who have different perspectives on these issues. I will also compare these robots to other humanoid robots like Ameca, Sophia, Atlas, and Tesla Bot, which have different capabilities and applications than Digidog, K5, and StarChase. Which robot would you prefer to have on your side? And which robot would you fear the most? Let me know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel for more RoboTalk videos. Also, don’t forget to check out my other videos where I talk about robotics and AI topics such as:

How Ameca became the world’s most advanced humanoid robot watch here.
How Sophia got her citizenship and what it means for robot rights watch here.
How Atlas learned to do parkour and backflips watch here.
How Tesla Bot plans to revolutionize human-robot interaction watch here.
And much more!

Thanks for watching RoboTalk with Structon, where I explore the latest and greatest in robotics and AI. See you next time!

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