Police force tests futuristic robot dog

By Adam Dutton

A police force is the first in the United Kingdom to trial afuturistic robot dogto hunt criminals.

Nottinghamshire PoliceSay the remote-controlled robot dog - which can climb stairs and see in the dark - could be in service next year.

Therobots can operate in complete silence and feature hi-tech thermal imaging cameras.

Police chiefs hope they will be able to quickly scan entrances and exits of buildings during armed sieges or hostage situations.

The Terminator-style bot even has weapon recognition capabilities and will be training with the force's firearms unit.

The device is funded by the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser and will be subjected to a three-month trial.

If the results are positive, the robo-dogs could be deployed to forces across the UK next year.

The crime-fighting gadget was designed by Nathan Wallace, 22, from Gedling, Notts.

He said: "It can be used like a land-based drone and is equipped with several cameras, which could prove an asset to officers."

We have an AI camera which can detect weapons - so handguns, knives, baseball bats, hammers, that sort of thing.

We have a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system, which can enter a room and immediately scan its surroundings.

It essentially uses lasers and pings them out against a wall.

Then on the back, we've got cameras which are all viewable by the remote, so we've got a kilometre of range there.

Thethe robot's four legshave been designed so that they can climb stairs and scramble over tree stumps when chasing suspects off-road.

It also has a loudspeaker allowing officers to issue commands to a suspect remotely.

The force hopes it could be used for reconnaissance during an incident involving chemical or biological agents.

It can also carry supplies and could be deployed in confined spaces or buildings inaccessible to drones.

Superintendent Louise Clarke said, "While still in its infancy, it is not hard to see how this technology can and will be used in the future to protect and serve the public."

In the right circumstances, this equipment can enhance officer and public safety but will always complement the appropriate deployment of armed officers to safeguard the public.

By doing so, we can gather vital intelligence about a volatile situation without putting lives at risk.

In the unlikely event of an incident involving chemical or biological agents, for example, we would have access to another form of reconnaissance to gather vital information about a dangerous situation.

That's why we are delighted to have been asked to examine and stress test this very impressive new technology.

It is really exciting to be at the forefront of what could be a revolution in policing technology.

The force said there were "absolutely no plans" tofit the robotwith weapons and they would not replace traditional police dogs.

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Take My Money: SmartSlydr Smart Door Opener Promises to Let the Dogs Out

We just discovered the SmartSlydr automatic sliding door opener, and we can't order one fast enough. Tired of letting the dogs in and out and in again? Want your doors to magically open for you (maybe with a sound effect?). You need to check out SmartSlydr's game changing new door opener.

This product not only automatically opens and closes sliding doors, but also serves as an invisible pet door. It comes with an inbuilt receiver and smart lock, which helps keep your door secure. The unit uses AI-based automatic calibration to fit your door without needing extra equipment. Both WiFi and Bluetooth are built in, so you do not need a separate hub to use it. SmartSlydr is designed to be easy to install and can be custom-sized to work with most sliding doors.

There are two main versions of the SmartSlydr: Standard and Regal. The Regal model has improvements over the standard one. It supports doors up to 71 inches wide and can open up to 45 inches for larger doors. The Regal version also operates more quietly, with noise levels about half as loud as the original SmartSlydr. To help with different door types, the Regal model includes a custom adapter for outside-moving panels. Each Regal unit is hand-assembled in the United States.

SmartSlydr works with popular smart home platforms such as Google Home, Alexa, and Apple Watch. This means you can control your sliding door with voice commands or from your wrist. For example, if you have an Apple Watch, you can open or close your patio door without getting up, and you will receive notifications when your dog uses the door. The system supports up to four PetPass or OneButton tags, along with DuoButtons, so both humans and pets can operate the door opener.

The PetPass feature is designed for pet owners. It lets you set custom door openings based on your pet's size, and the settings can be updated as your pets grow. There is an Automatic Mode where the door opens when your pet approaches, and you get a notification on your phone. There is also a Send Request Mode, where the system will notify you when your pet is at the door, and you can choose to let them out. All of this can be managed through a mobile app, which allows full control of your sliding doors from anywhere.

Another feature is the DuoButton, a physical button that can be pressed by either people or pets to open the door. The DuoButton includes an option for an auto-close timer, so you can set the door to close automatically after a short period. This can help keep your home secure and comfortable.

The installation of the SmartSlydr Gate is intended to be straightforward. The product comes with instructions, and the company says it can be set up in just a few minutes. With these features, SmartSlydr is suitable for homeowners who want to add smart control to their sliding doors and pet owners who want a more flexible pet door that does not require cutting or replacing parts of their existing door.

For more information about the SmartSlyder, check out theirwebsite here.

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