See Spot spy? A new generation of police robots faces backlash

For starters, it has no head. And instead of kibble and water, it runs on a lithium-ion battery. When the four-legged robot, which can climb stairs, open doors and transmit 360-degree video, was unveiled a few years ago, it was billed as a potent new tool for industries whose workers are often in dangerous conditions. It could, for example, detect radiation for an energy company or inspect the safety of a mining tunnel, its creator, Boston Dynamics, touted said in promotional material. And police officials around the U.S. realized Spot, which its inventors named, also offered an upgrade from the slower, less agile robots currently used in hostage situations, assessing suspicious packages and other high-risk situations.