Meet Spot, the agile mobile robot dog. This new four-legged friend will soon help keep communities safe during dangerous missions.

The Boston Dynamics robot, model name Spot, will join six older robot models already assigned to the Metro Explosives Disposal Unit, a group of 16 bomb technicians and seven K-9 teams from police agencies across the Portland area. Similar robots have sparked controversy elsewhere.

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - A new type of “K-9″ is joining the Portland Police Bureau. But it’s not like any other dog you’ve likely seen. “Spot” the four-legged robot is manufactured by Boston Dynamics and Portland police said at a news conference Thursday that he’ll be used in many ways, including bomb disposal.

Portland police introduce $150,000 Boston Dynamics robot dog for bomb squad and hazardous materials response, promising no surveillance or enforcement use.