A ‘knock-off RoboCop’: Robot police dog returns to NYPD despite criticism

The Digidog mobile robot walks during a news conference in Times Square (New York City Office of The Mayor via AP)

New York City officials have unveiled three new high-tech policing devices – including a robotic dog that critics called creepy when it first joined the police pack two-and-a-half years ago.

The new devices, which also include a GPS tracker for stolen cars and cone-shaped security robot, will be rolled out in a manner that is “transparent, consistent and always done in close collaboration with the people we serve”, said police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, who joined mayor Eric Adams and other officials at a Times Square press conference where the security robot and the mechanical canine nicknamed Digidog were displayed.