Robotic dog used by MFD HAZMAT team during week of RNC

-
2:28
’I almost died tonight’: Milwaukee woman hit by stray bullet...
-
2:46
Milwaukee County HHS explains policy changes after ’incompetent’...
-
2:46
After two-year delay, school districts will finally get money...
-
2:06
Man detained, released after argument on wristband policy at...
-
2:13
History of the Milwaukee Chicks ⚾
-
4:15
Final preparations underway for Officer Corder’s funeral
-
3:03
Harley-Davidson Homecoming begins: More than 90,000 motorcycle...
-
3:30
’He was one of my kids’: Officer Kendall Corder’s former...
-
1:32
Milwaukee war hero, Lance Sijan, honored again in memorial rededication
-
2:30
‘I’m begging’: Mom pleading for justice three weeks after...
-
4:07
Elevate your summer gatherings with the flavors of Wisconsin...
-
3:37
Local financial advisor talks ways to save during summer travel...
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A robot affectionately called Spot by the Milwaukee Fire Department is here for a week to help firefighters in case of a HAZMAT emergency.
The company that owns it, 908 Devices, volunteered the robotic dog to say with MFD for the week.
The robot can be sent into areas where radiation or chemicals are released and take more accurate readings than crews downwind of a dangerous site.
MFD's HAZMAT team's captain says it makes their response safer for everyone.
"We can send this down range to see what it is and what our levels are before we send people and commit people to that thing," said Captain Michael Thurow. "It's nice to be able to risk a dog as cute as it is, I'd much rather risk this device than our firefighters going down range."
The robot uses AI to walk around with bumping into people and can climb stairs.
Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said he is impressed by the robot and may seek grants to help the department purchase a device to stay here in Milwaukee.