The US government has presented a proposal to acquire Spot robots from Boston Dynamics for use in immigration control operations. This initiative was registered in the Department of Homeland Security's Procurement Forecasting System (DHS).
The four-legged robot is capable of navigating complex terrain, climbing stairs, and operating in areas that are dangerous for humans. According to the company, it is equipped with various cameras and sensors that allow inspections in hard-to-reach zones.
Spot can be controlled remotely or perform specific tasks autonomously. DHS asserts that the robot's capabilities will help enhance employee safety, support evidence-based operational decision-making, and strengthen ICE's response to incidents in hazardous, confined, unstable, or inaccessible areas.
The proposal includes a maximum investment limit of two million dollars. The purchase of these robots and related accessories is part of a broader procurement plan to equip ICE, which also includes a $16.7 million contract for the purchase of 6,000 electric discharge gloves.
These gloves are equipped with conductive electrodes on the palm; when activated and in direct contact with the skin, they generate painful electrical shocks, but they do not work through clothing. Immigration rights defenders, such as the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDLON), have labeled the use of these gloves as a form of torture.