NYPD Ends Test of Robot Police Dog

After complaints from activists and politicians, the NYPD has ended the test of a robotic police dog named "Digidog" and is returning the machine to the manufacturer.

Police critics questioned where the robot fit in a culture of police reform and wondered if it was actually a surveillance drone, ABC7 reports.

Police officials said the robot's purpose was to take police officers out of harm's way and that it was actually cheaper than other robots already in use.

The NYPD was initially scheduled to test the robot dog's capabilities until August, but decided to cut the pilot program short. The robot will be returned to manufacturer Boston Dynamics and the city will terminate the $94,200 contract.