[stewartbutler]

There is no technological equivalent for a dog's nose in reliability, form factor, and cost. That, and a Boston Dynamics type robot probably costs several orders of magnitude more than training a dog/trainer pair, and is much less flexible.

Amusing note: at least for ATF, all arson/explosives detection dogs are dropouts from the seeing eye dog training programs (too energetic). Source: relative was involved with the program.

[trhway]

>There is no technological equivalent for a dog's nose in reliability, form factor, and cost.

i specifically mentioned SWAT missions. This is where a robot can replace the dog or man "on the point". It just have to enter the room/etc. and burn several flash grenades, even without throwing them :) After that real people&dogs may enter much more safely.

[vinceguidry]

Cost would probably be factor number 300,000 when it comes to the types of missions it's expected to see. Any other kind of mission, and the modern military supply train is orders of magnitude more efficient.