L.A. City Council Approves $278,000 Robot Dog For LAPD

The Los Angeles City Council has approved the use of a robot dog by the LA Police Department, despite receiving major criticism from the general public and some council members expressing “grave concern.”

On Tuesday, the council voted 8-4 in favor of approving the use of the Boston Dynamics-manufactured “Quadruped Unmanned Ground Vehicle,” valued at $277,917, which was reportedly donated to the LAPD from the Los Angeles Police Foundation – a non-profit aiming to support the police department.

Many of the members of the general public who attended the meeting urged the council to reject the offer saying that it could further criminalize and harm the black and Latino communities and violate L.A. residents’ civil rights.

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Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, who was absent from the Tuesday council meeting, had also previously expressed “grave concerns” over accepting the donation.

“This item is being painted as merely an acceptance of a donation, but it really represents an expansion of the current boundaries around policing and surveillance,” council member Hugo Soto–Martínez argued.

“Your taking public comment is clearly performative,” one resident told the council after the vote via call. “After listening to overwhelming public comments, you vote the opposite way. New York City and San Francisco have already rejected these robot dogs. The LAPD does not need military weapons.”

Boston Dynamic’s robot dogs have sparked major debate and fascination amongst social media users since its videos first surfaced online. The four-legged yellow devices were even featured in this year’s New York Fashion Week.

Manufacturing consent:

Boston Dynamics robot dog featured in New York fashion week. This comes at a time when Los Angeles City Council is voting on approving the donation of a robot dog to LAPD. These things will be used to harm our communities. They aren’t cute. pic.twitter.com/iWgFNmUT41

— People's City Council – Los Angeles (@PplsCityCouncil) March 13, 2023

The LAPD has already assured the public that the device would only be used in SWAT situations, hazardous materials or search-and-rescue operations. While the robot dog is reportedly equipped with surveillance technology, it will not be armed with any sort of weapons or have facial recognition technology.

New York City began using similar devices in 2021 but canceled its use shortly after receiving backlash. They have reportedly approved and begun using a robot dog again as of last month. Last year, San Francisco canceled its plans to allow robotic dogs to use lethal force.