Footage recently circulated across social media showing a robotic canine surveilling and protecting President-elect Donald Trump’s family as they perused about the Mar-a-Lago property in Florida. Reportedly, the novel piece of technology, developed by Boston Dynamics, has been patrolling the property for weeks, where the footage on social media shows it guarding a group of children.
Conservative commentator Collin Rugg shared the clip on X, writing, “NEW: Donald Trump’s robot dog protects while a group of children play at Mar-a-Lago. The dog has been patrolling for weeks and joined the team after the election to add another level of protection for Trump. The dog was made by Boston Dynamics and is equipped with “surveillance technology.”
“While we cannot get into the specific capabilities, the robotic dogs are equipped with surveillance technology, and an array of advanced sensors that support our protective operations.” The dog, ‘Spot,’ is about 2 feet tall and 4 feet long. Spot can move about 5 feet per second,” Rugg added.
According to reports, the Boston Dynamics robot dog is available for $74,500. The product was initially available for lease in 2019, and the company seeks to produce approximately 1,000 units annually. Boston Dynamics previously indicated that the goal of the robotic technology was to inspect industrial sites, carry out dangerous missions, or fulfill deliveries.
Other social media users shared their firsthand experiences as the technology begins to make its way into society. “These robot dogs are guarding commercial properties all over LA. Our next door neighbors have one. At first the geo fencing wasn’t quite right and the dog was stalking our first shift that gets there about 4:30 am, keying off movement. Tripped everybody out. The dog doesn’t don’t sleep in the car & at the appointed time everyday the robot dog house pops open and it’s on patrol. Cool tech,” one user wrote.
However, not everyone shared an optimistic view about the technology with some expressing concerns about its possible militarization. “Nothing creepy about that….um ya, nothing creepy except for anyone who has ever read or watched science fiction or studied fascism or ever thought about and extrapolated the consequences of expansion and militarization of technologies under a dictator…nope, nothing creepy,” one person said.
Rugg shared another video of a robotic dog patrolling the property in another instance as well. “NEW: Donald Trump has reportedly beefed up his security detail at Mar-a-Lago and now has a robotic dog patrolling the property, he wrote. “A large warning sign on the side of the robotic dog reads: ” Do Not Pet””
See the dog protecting the group of children below:
“The robot dog was made by Boston Dynamics and is equipped with “surveillance technology,”” Rugg added. “Safeguarding the President-elect is a top priority,” the Secret Service said to the New York Post. While we cannot get into the specific capabilities, the robotic dogs are equipped with surveillance technology, and an array of advanced sensors that support our protective operations.”
Note: The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.
"*" indicates required fields