Manufactured by Boston Dynamics, the four-legged machine has become both a viral sensation and a stark symbol of a new era in security technology.

Videos of Spot pacing the grounds of Mar-a-Lago have sparked heated debates online, with TikTok users and late-night comedians alternately calling the robot both “cute” and “creepy”.

But its purpose is serious – with Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, declaring: “Safeguarding the president-elect is a top priority.”

While Spot is unarmed, it operates autonomously or via remote control along pre-programmed routes.

A warning emblazoned on its metallic legs – 'DO NOT PET' – is said to seem redundant given its menacing, non-cuddly appearance.

The deployment comes against the backdrop of heightened threats, including two assassination attempts on Trump in 2023, one at a Pennsylvania rally and another at Mar-a-Lago.

Former Secret Service agent Ron Williams suggested the incidents accelerated the agency’s adoption of advanced tools, describing robotic dogs as “long overdue”.

With sprawling properties like Mar-a-Lago posing unique security challenges, Spot’s ability to traverse large areas efficiently offers clear advantages.

The Secret Service has been tight-lipped about when these mechanical sentinels first joined Trump’s security detail, but Boston Dynamics confirmed its robots are part of the operation.

Spot’s use mirrors global trends, with militaries and police forces deploying similar technologies.

From bomb squads in Pennsylvania to reconnaissance missions in Ukraine, robotic dogs are increasingly finding roles at the intersection of safety and surveillance.