A Robot Dog Story: Honolulu’s $150k Pandemic Purchase Gathers Dust
During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) made waves by spending $150,000 in federal relief funds on Spot, a sophisticated machine from Boston Dynamics. This unique acquisition turned into A Robot Dog Story marked by controversy and questionable utility, as the four-legged technological marvel now sits unused. Initially purchased with CARES Act money, Spot’s journey from a pandemic tool to a sidelined asset raises ongoing questions about public spending and priorities.
From Pandemic Patrol to Police Department Puzzle
The official justification for acquiring Spot centered on the pandemic. HPD claimed the robot dog was needed to take temperatures remotely at a city-managed homeless encampment, the Provisional Outdoor Screening and Triage (POST) program. This explanation, however, drew significant criticism, leading to HPD officials facing scrutiny from the Honolulu City Council in 2021.
HPD's Spot robot dog equipped with a tablet, used for temperature checks during the pandemic at the POST homeless program.
Despite the backlash, police leadership at the time defended the purchase, suggesting Spot held “endless” future potential beyond its initial pandemic role. Then-Lt. Mike Lambert emphasized its long-term usefulness for various tasks.
The Six-Figure Machine Now Sidelined
Fast forward four years, and that potential remains largely unrealized. According to HPD spokesperson Michelle Yu, Spot hasn’t been actively deployed since 2021. The department appears uncertain about the expensive robot’s future role.
Spot, the Boston Dynamics robot dog purchased by HPD, shown standing outdoors – part of a controversial robot dog story.
“The department still has the robotic dog but is not deploying it at this time,” Yu stated via email. “In-house programmers are currently reviewing its software capabilities and assessing how it can be used to assist with possible future tasks, such as searches and surveillance.” Spot was transferred to HPD’s Major Events Division in late 2021 and subsequently moved under the IT division in May 2024.
A Tale of Questionable Spending?
Spot’s $150,000 price tag came from Honolulu’s $386 million share of federal CARES Act funds, $40 million of which was allocated to HPD under then-mayor Kirk Caldwell. This allocation period saw HPD also spend millions on new vehicles, ATVs, and overtime for enforcing park closures. Simultaneously, many Honolulu residents faced difficulties accessing city programs designed to help with rent and childcare costs.
“For us to invest that into a robot instead of people, it’s not only disconcerting from a fiduciary point of view, it’s concerning from a humanity point of view,” commented Camron Hurt, executive director of Common Cause Hawaii, a government accountability group. “We should’ve been putting our people first.”
Wookie Kim, legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Hawaiʻi, echoed these sentiments, stating that Spot’s current disuse validates earlier concerns about it being a wasteful purchase. He criticized HPD’s approach as “entirely backwards,” suggesting they bought a “toy” first and then tried to find a problem for it to solve.
Lingering Questions and Future Concerns
In defense of the initial deployment, Assistant Chief Darren Chun of HPD’s Special Field Operations Bureau stated that Spot served a purpose during the pandemic’s peak uncertainty. He noted the robot was used over 100 times in 2021 for contactless temperature checks and telemedicine appointments at the POST site, aiming to reduce COVID-19 transmission risk for clients, officers, and workers. Chun argued that Spot helped mitigate potential exposures that would have otherwise required staff testing and quarantine periods.
However, the ACLU found using a robot for interactions related to healthcare for homeless individuals “dehumanizing.” While a 2021 U.S. Treasury Inspector General review found HPD’s CARES Act spending, including Spot, legally permissible, ethical and practical questions remain.
Spot robots can be equipped with various tools, including cameras and sensors, and are used by some police forces for tactical operations. Yet, concerns persist nationwide about potential surveillance misuse and the possibility of weaponization. Hurt questioned why, if capable, Spot hasn’t been used for tasks like park patrols or monitoring high-crime areas. Kim warned of the risk that powerful technology like Spot could eventually be used improperly, stating, “They should get rid of it…instead of…trying to find some use for it and potentially increase the odds that it violates people’s rights.”
This chapter in Honolulu’s A Robot Dog Story highlights the complexities and controversies surrounding the adoption of advanced police technology, particularly when funded by emergency relief meant for broader community support. Spot’s future, much like its initial purchase, remains a subject of debate.
