US Secret Service Strengthens Defense of Donald Trump with Robot Guard
The US Secret Service has taken an unusual step to enhance the defense of President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Llama by deploying a robot guard named Spot from Boston Dynamics. The mechanical guard, equipped with warning inscriptions “Do not stroke” on each paw, is now patrolling the territory.
Videos of the robot quickly spread on TikTok, eliciting mixed reactions from users. While some found it cute, others deemed it slightly creepy. The unconventional guard even became a subject of jokes on American evening television shows.
The decision to introduce the robot guard is linked to two assassination attempts on Trump before the presidential election. One incident occurred at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, while the other took place in September at the Mar-A-Lago golf club.
Ron Williams, a former secret agent and current CEO of Talon Companies specializing in security management, stated that the use of robot guards on the mansion’s premises was a long-planned measure. The expansive area necessitates constant surveillance, and mechanical assistants can cover a significantly larger area compared to humans.
Spot robots are renowned for their maneuverability, easily navigating stairs, narrow gaps, and even opening doors. They are equipped with multiple cameras for creating a 3D map of the environment, various sensors for different purposes, and can be fitted with thermal imaging cameras.
Control of the robots can be done remotely via joystick or automatically following a pre-programmed route. While mechanical dogs do not get distracted by external stimuli like living creatures, they are vulnerable to sabotage, such as disabling them with hair spray, according to engineering professor Missy Cummings from George Mason University.
Despite the high cost of about $75,000 per model, these robots are increasingly used by military and law enforcement agencies worldwide. For example, the robot Spot assists bomb squad teams in Pennsylvania and has been deployed by the New York Police Department.
There has been controversy surrounding the use of mechanical dogs by law enforcement, with concerns raised about potential abuses of power. Professor Cummings highlighted the rise of armed robot dogs, exemplified by a Chinese model equipped with small arms discussed at a recent robotics conference, though the guards at Mar-a-Llama are unarmed.
Political scientist Melissa Mikelson from the College of Menlo likened these systems to autopilot in cars, cautioning against premature trust in automation safety. Secret service agents at Mar-a-Llama currently work in conjunction with mechanical assistants in their usual operations.