Yuba City purchases tactical robot with DHS grant money
The Yuba City police department in California is spending a portion of its nearly $70,000 grant from DHS to purchase a remote controlled tactical robot; the “tactical entry robot” is designed to help police officers when they are confronting an individual barricaded inside a home; the robot is equipped with a wide-angle camera and can help provide officers with information on what is occurring inside; the robot can also help officials survey dangerous chemical spills or other hazardous situations where human exposure may prove fatal; the robot costs nearly $12,00, is roughly the size of an industrial lawn mower, and is able to climb stairs; Yuba City expects to receive the robot in the next six months
The Yuba City police department in California is spending a portion of its nearly $70,000 grant from DHS to purchase a remote controlled tactical robot.
According to Lieutenant Tom Tappe of the Yuba City police department, the “tactical entry robot” would greatly benefit police officers when they are confronting an individual barricaded inside a home.
According to Tappe, the individuals “have a real advantage” because “they’re on their home front.”
“We don’t know what’s behind that door,” he says.
The tactical robot could ease the danger that officers face in these situations by providing them with valuable information on what they may face inside. The robot is operated remotely and is equipped with a wide-angle color camera. It is roughly the size of an industrial lawn mower and isable to climb stairs.
“If we have something like this, we can get at least get an idea of the layout of the room,” Tappe said. “We can plan how we’re going to enter.”
The robot can also help officials survey dangerous chemical spills or other hazardous situations where human exposure may prove fatal.
The grant money from DHS will also be used to purchase upgrades to the department’s communications equipment.
The nearly $12,000 robot is expected to arrive in the next six months.
