Christina Jedra’s story about the useless robot dog that the Honolulu Police Department bought for $150k was particularly satisfying, right?
Everybody knew it was a dumb idea from the start, like when your neighbor hauls a new Peloton into their garage and you just smile knowing that its quick destiny is to become a pedestal for packages of Costco paper towels.
In 2021, HPD proudly introduced its new robot dog, named Spot, designed and sold by Boston Dynamics. From the overhype tone of that first press conference, it was clear it was just a matter of time before the uselessness of the expensive purchase was going to become painfully obvious…