Take a look: Denver PD's bomb squad has a new robot dog
The Denver Police Department's newest member is not the average police officer. This new addition has four legs, has electricity and is trained, or programmed, for its duties in the Denver Police Bomb Squad.
DENVER (KDVR) -- The Denver Police Department's newest member is not the average police officer. This new addition has four legs, has electricity and is trained, or programmed, for its duties in the Denver Police Bomb Squad.
The Denver Police Department announced Wednesday that it has a new robotic dog that will be used as needed in "dangerous situations." It doesn't have a name yet, but police are working with students at Doull Elementary School to come up with something.
Police said they will use the robotic dog to maintain a safe distance when inspecting and removing suspicious or explosive items, conducting a preliminary search of a building with a search warrant, or inspecting where there may be hazardous materials.
The robot is controlled with a remote. It's equipped for the job with an arm that can open doors and lift objects, cameras and lights, and it can even facilitate two-way communication.
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog is equipped for the job with an arm that can open doors and lift objects, cameras and lights, and it can even facilitate two-way communication. 
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog is equipped for the job with an arm that can open doors and lift objects, cameras and lights, and it can even facilitate two-way communication.
DPD previously had a bomb robot, but this new one can do things that the previous one couldn't, like quickly navigating stairs, picking itself up if it falls, and maneuvering around debris and obstacles that could stop a robot on wheels.
One thing it is not equipped with is weapons. Police said the robotic dog "will not be used to deploy any lethal or less lethal weapons."
“The Denver Police Department is thrilled to have this tool to increase officer safety by utilizing the robot to enter into potentially life-ending situations – protecting the lives of our community and our officers,” Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said in a release emailed to FOX31. “This new robot also demonstrates our commitment to leveraging technology to provide public safety services in innovative ways.”
The police department shared a video of the robotic dog performing tasks. An officer used a remote controller with a screen, some buttons and a small analog stick to control the robot.
Officers with the Denver Police Department use a remote controller with a screen, some buttons and a small analog stick to control a new robotic dog assigned to the department's bomb squad. 
Officers with the Denver Police Department use a remote controller with a screen, some buttons and a small analog stick to control a new robotic dog assigned to the department's bomb squad. 
Officers with the Denver Police Department use a remote controller with a screen, some buttons and a small analog stick to control a new robotic dog assigned to the department's bomb squad. 
Officers with the Denver Police Department use a remote controller with a screen, some buttons and a small analog stick to control a new robotic dog assigned to the department's bomb squad.
The robotic dog completed tasks like opening a door, going up and down the stairs, getting up off its side, walking through rocky terrain, picking up objects and more.
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog is equipped for the job with an arm that can open doors and lift objects, cameras and lights, and it can even facilitate two-way communication. 
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog is equipped for the job with an arm that can open doors and lift objects, cameras and lights, and it can even facilitate two-way communication. 
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog is equipped for the job with an arm that can open doors and lift objects, cameras and lights, and it can even facilitate two-way communication. 
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog is equipped for the job with an arm that can open doors and lift objects, cameras and lights, and it can even facilitate two-way communication. 
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog can quickly go up and down stairs. 
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog is equipped for the job with an arm that can open doors and lift objects, cameras and lights, and it can even facilitate two-way communication. 
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog is equipped for the job with an arm that can open doors and lift objects, cameras and lights, and it can even facilitate two-way communication. 
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog can quickly go up and down stairs. 
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog can quickly go up and down stairs. 
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog can quickly go up and down stairs. 
The Denver Police Department's new robotic dog can quickly go up and down stairs.
Police said the robotic dog will be assigned to the Denver Police Bomb Squad and will be used in Denver Police Metro SWAT responses. Beyond its investigation uses, police said the robot will be used as a tool for community engagement, "capitalizing on curiosity in the robot to open the door to conversations between officers and the community."
People will be able to see the robotic dog in person as it is part of the police department's safety plan for the Parade of Lights happening downtown Saturday evening.
Acquiring the robotic dog was made possible with about $328,000 in grant funding by the Urban Area Security Initiative and North Central All-Hazards Region of Colorado.
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