The Camden County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday, September 21, 2026, that it has begun deploying a four‑legged robot dog operated with an Xbox controller to assist in de‑escalating tense situations and to identify hazardous chemicals. The rollout took place in Camden County, New Jersey, at 14:40:32 GMT, marking the first use of the device by the agency.
The robot dog, a quadruped platform capable of navigating indoor and outdoor environments, is steered by an officer using a standard Xbox gaming controller. By placing the robot at a distance from a potentially volatile scene, deputies can engage with individuals or assess an area without immediate personal exposure. The device’s sensors are calibrated to detect chemical signatures, allowing it to alert officers to the presence of dangerous substances before they enter the space. This dual capability is intended to reduce the need for direct human contact during confrontations and to provide early warning of chemical hazards.
The sheriff’s office added the robot dog to its equipment roster this year as part of a broader effort to incorporate emerging technologies into public safety and investigative work. Officials described the tool as a means to calm tense encounters and to enhance officer safety while gathering critical information. The deployment reflects a growing interest among law‑enforcement agencies in using remotely operated robots for both crowd‑control and forensic purposes, though the Camden County program remains in its initial phase.