Recon Scout Robot Billed As SWAT Team's Secret Weapon

In a hostage situation, the Recon Scout robot gives law enforcement a window into a dangerous scenario.

The dumbbell-shaped robot, which can be thrown through glass and dropped several feet without being damaged, provides authorities with an extra set of eyes so they know what to expect before they enter potentially lethal situations.

The police department in San Mateo, Calif., threw the robot into a hostage situation at a local bank. The robot's camera helped locate two bank tellers who were safely rescued, police told Digital Justice.

But the device's reviews aren't all positive. Recon Scout robots have drawn the ire of amateur radio operators, who say the robots could interfere with their transmissions, according to the CommLawBlog.

See last week's edition of Digital Justice here.

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Comments

[Roelvdwegen]

09:07 AM on 05/04/2012

So how long until some 5 year old gets hit in the head with it?

[Steve Emery]

09:20 PM on 05/03/2012

No secret anymore is it....

[Razpooten]

06:20 PM on 05/03/2012

I can see potential bank robbers; note to self: "pack a can of black spray paint."

[Razpooten]

06:16 PM on 05/03/2012

It was a "secret" weapon.

[Razpooten]

06:15 PM on 05/03/2012

They should send it trained killer chihuahuas instead.

[ethelmertzrules]

06:18 PM on 05/04/2012

In little flak jackets.

[Razpooten]

09:14 PM on 05/04/2012

They don't need no stinkin' flack jackets.

[rrgb545]

04:25 PM on 05/03/2012

A can of spray paint should take care of those extra eyes. Cost of spray paint verses cost of robot.

[viciousvirago]

04:13 PM on 05/03/2012

I forgot, what about a theme song? He's gotta have a themesong. And one more thing, why do I keep calling it a him? Could be a her. Why not? Oh, wait a minute, PMS.

[viciousvirago]

04:12 PM on 05/03/2012

Anything that helps SWAT avoid having their team members killed is o.k. with me. Is he going to be asking for raises and days off, though? Unionized? Is it a drinker who has hangovers, thereby impeding his visual acuity? Questions asked: none answered.

[Ed Forney]

02:41 PM on 05/03/2012

Screw the amateur radio operators

[mokando]

06:06 PM on 05/03/2012

HAM nerds.

[Julius Penny]

02:32 PM on 05/03/2012

What a joke. These SWAT Teams all over the country have all of this high tech gear and its sits in a storage shed until one of the cops steals it.

[djuno1966]

12:37 PM on 05/03/2012

Ideal use for the recent fad of ShakeWeight. It also has been tossed thru a few windows

[Dan Ketchum]

11:27 AM on 05/03/2012

Moronic. The number one thing any SWAT team should want going in is the element of surprise. Tossing this thing in basically says "Hey, we're coming in! Get your guns ready!!".

[GlenRastell]

02:27 PM on 05/03/2012

And your comment comes from your extensive knowledge and experience in the kinds of situations SWAT teams deal with right?

[Razpooten]

06:17 PM on 05/03/2012

Hey, they are the squat team you expect use of logic?

[goodlucktu]

11:12 AM on 05/03/2012

why didn't they show a real life encounter using it. to high tech.. with little time.

[Infected Zombie]

10:47 AM on 05/03/2012

Yeah! Woohoo! Our police is fully militarized and using stuff that was formerly only the domain of our US military and stuff used against "terrorists" overseas. Now we get to know the full awesome power of the police state!

[GlenRastell]

02:29 PM on 05/03/2012

Would you be happy if they went back to billy clubs and revolvers to go against criminals armed with automatic weapons and body armor? Why don't you volunteer as a hostage negotiator? You can just walk in and talk to these people.

[Infected Zombie]

09:03 AM on 05/04/2012

Yes, in fact, I would be happy. There is no legitimate reason why we need to militarize the police or even why police should exist at all. That's what Sheriffs and their deputies are for... AND they are elected!

[tracerhaha1]

10:16 AM on 05/03/2012

And here I thought their secret weapon was terror.