Boston Dynamics' robot dog deployed for Trump security detail

By Kim Dong-young Posted : November 13, 2024, 11:19 Updated : November 13, 2024, 11:19
Attendees watch a Boston Dynamics robot resembling a canine at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, Oct. 14, 2024. Reuters-Yonhap
 
SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Boston Dynamics, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, has reportedly deployed its four-legged robot, "Spot," to join the security detail for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

Media reports on Wednesday stated that the robot was seen at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, equipped with advanced sensors and bearing "DO NOT PET" markings on its legs.

The robot features autonomous navigation capabilities and can operate in hazardous environments, including during nighttime hours.

The United States Secret Service confirmed that the electric-powered robot, capable of moving at 5.76 kilometers per hour, is now part of their operations.

"People will carry Spot around just like they carry their mobile phones today," said Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun at CES 2022, where he demonstrated the robot's capabilities.

Chung personally invested 249 billion won (US$176 million) to acquire a 20 percent stake in Boston Dynamics.

Spot has previously been utilized for security operations at the NATO summit in Washington D.C. in July and has been deployed by U.S. law enforcement agencies for search operations and bomb disposal tasks.

Beyond security applications, Spot has been employed in various industrial settings, including construction site monitoring by Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. and factory safety inspections at sister company Kia's Gwangmyeong plant in South Korea.