Photo: Boston Dynamics
The Ukrainians call him Patron, and he’s a two-year-old Jack Russell Terrier that ever since the war started, back in February, became an Internet sensation thanks to the many photos and videos of him posted online, and a decorated hero of the nation, thanks to the hundreds of explosive munitions he detected across the nation.
Patron can detect mines and such, but there’s little he can do to actually remove the munition and take it to places where it can be safely destroyed. For that, specialized equipment is needed, or incredibly brave people.
Since not long ago, the list of specialized equipment that can do that does include dogs. Not real ones, but the quad-legged, headless robot dogs called Spot and put together by Boston Dynamics.
Now, we’ve gotten used to this machine over the past few years, as we’ve seen it performing all sorts of feats, from herding sheep to ganging up to pulling full-sized trucks down the road. On some occasions, even, we’ve seen it train with the military. But never before did we see or hear of it being deployed in a war zone.
According to a report by Foreign Policy, citing “a person familiar with the decision,” that could soon change, as the U.S. may be sending a Spot to Ukraine.
The report claims the robot dog is one of two now being used by the U.S. Army, and it will be given to the HALO Trust, an organization dedicated to clearing landmines and other explosives.
In turn, HALO is said to take the robot to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and the surrounding areas, where it should help with the disposal of mortar shells and cluster munitions. More precisely, the Spot will have a robotic arm for a head, with which it is expected to move the munitions to places where they can safely be disposed of.
The source says Boston Dynamics did not officially comment on the deployment of the Spot robot to a war zone.
Since not long ago, the list of specialized equipment that can do that does include dogs. Not real ones, but the quad-legged, headless robot dogs called Spot and put together by Boston Dynamics.
Now, we’ve gotten used to this machine over the past few years, as we’ve seen it performing all sorts of feats, from herding sheep to ganging up to pulling full-sized trucks down the road. On some occasions, even, we’ve seen it train with the military. But never before did we see or hear of it being deployed in a war zone.
According to a report by Foreign Policy, citing “a person familiar with the decision,” that could soon change, as the U.S. may be sending a Spot to Ukraine.
The report claims the robot dog is one of two now being used by the U.S. Army, and it will be given to the HALO Trust, an organization dedicated to clearing landmines and other explosives.
In turn, HALO is said to take the robot to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and the surrounding areas, where it should help with the disposal of mortar shells and cluster munitions. More precisely, the Spot will have a robotic arm for a head, with which it is expected to move the munitions to places where they can safely be disposed of.
The source says Boston Dynamics did not officially comment on the deployment of the Spot robot to a war zone.
"Ukrposhta" announced the issue of stamps with the famous dog Patron, which helps rescuers in demining. pic.twitter.com/CZckxba5If
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 24, 2022
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