DALLAS — Boston Dynamics' Spot robots are being deployed at designated World Cup venues in Dallas to perform perimeter security inspections and assist security personnel with investigating suspicious packages or other potentially hazardous materials. The company confirmed the robots do not have facial recognition capabilities.
The deployment is part of heightened security preparations for the tournament. A viral video had previously claimed that “face-scanning robots” were checking World Cup tickets in Dallas, a claim Boston Dynamics has now clarified is inaccurate. “The Spot robots do not have facial recognition capabilities,” a Boston Dynamics spokesperson said.
Dallas Police announced a $51.5 million grant from FEMA for World Cup security efforts. Of that, $22 million is allocated for personnel costs, including salaries and overtime for officers assigned to critical operations. An additional $1.3 million was provided for equipment, which the department used to purchase surveillance cameras, portable anti-ramming barricades, two Polaris Ranger vehicles, and new police vehicles.
The city has also dedicated $10 million of its security funding to drone mitigation technology. Temporary structures, tents, and barriers are being installed outside AT&T Stadium in preparation for matches. The Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in downtown Dallas is serving as the World Cup’s International Broadcast Center.
No independent assessment of Boston Dynamics’s claims was available.