By Josh Hall - RDNewsNow

‘Ard-E’ the Robot introduced by Red Deer RCMP

Jan 25, 2019 | 5:49 AM

RED DEER — Red Deer RCMP’s newest family member finally has a name.

Ard-E the robot is the latest tool members of the Victim Services Unit, often alongside staff at the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, can utilize to help children who have or are going through traumatic experiences.

RCMP and The City of Red Deer recently held a contest to give the droid a new moniker, the winner of which was 6-year-old Laney Read. More than 200 entries were received.

“Helping kids is like justice, I guess,” the grade one student said at the detachment on Thursday morning. “Every time we come here, it’s about stopping crimes and helping people.”

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The youngster further explained that Ard-E sounds like R-D, the initials for Red Deer, and is also akin to the Disney/Pixar robot Wall-E.

For winning the naming contest, Read won a prize pack, and she will be made honourary Chief for the Day at a date in the near future.

To date, Ard-E has been used with seven children who’ve needed assistance.

At a cost of roughly $20,000, Ard-E didn’t come cheap, but was made possible thanks in part to large donations from Vic Walls of Border Paving, and the RCMP Regimental Ball.