Robotic dogs: Useful hounds or dehumanising machines?

US police officials experimenting with the four-legged machines say they’re just another robotic tool. — AP

IF you’re homeless and looking for temporary shelter in Hawaii’s capital, expect a visit from a robotic police dog that will scan your eye to make sure you don’t have a fever.

That’s just one of the ways public safety agencies are starting to use Spot, the best-known of a new commercial category of robots that trot around with animal-like agility.