Miami's New RoboCop Vehicle Can Patrol the Streets Without an Officer | Carscoops

      Thanks to advancements in AI and autonomous driving technology, the PUG is now able to patrol areas with high crime rates and report its observations to command centers.

      An autonomous patrol vehicle has been introduced to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, designed specifically to monitor high-crime areas and alert authorities to significant findings. This Explorer-based vehicle is equipped with a drone launcher and a license plate reader.

      The Policing Lab, in collaboration with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, has launched the Police Unmanned Ground Patrol Partner, referred to as PUG, which is promoted as the "first autonomous patrol vehicle in the nation."

      According to Policing Lab, although a police car without an officer is fundamentally just a vehicle, the PUG acts as a “force multiplier,” enhancing efficiency, improving safety, and expanding the resources available to deputies. Marjolijn Bruggeling, the executive director of the company, further noted that it “enhances situational awareness, automates repetitive tasks, and allows deputies to concentrate on the more intricate and human aspects of policing.”

      Policing Lab shared minimal details about the vehicle itself, but it is based on the popular Ford Police Interceptor Utility and incorporates autonomous driving technology from Perrone Robotics. This technology allows it to patrol areas prone to crime, serving as a visible deterrent.

      Crucially, the PUG functions as a mobile surveillance unit, equipped with various cameras and thermal imaging systems. It also includes a license plate reader and a drone launcher, providing real-time updates to authorities and notifications when certain license plates are detected. This indicates that the PUG could assist in identifying stolen vehicles and alerting police for further action.

      While the PUG presents an intriguing idea, it is still in its early phases. It will be initially assigned to the Community Affairs Bureau and will appear at public events where Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz and her team intend to collect community feedback before considering wider use.

      The pilot program is set to last for a year, focusing on objectives such as quicker response times, better deterrence, enhanced officer safety, and increased public trust. Whether it represents a true innovation or a well-planned experiment remains to be seen, but the latest addition to Miami-Dade's law enforcement certainly has sparked conversation.