New “Robo-Cop” Hits the Streets of Miami: First Driverless Police Patrol Car in the U.S. Goes on Duty

Policing Lab and the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office have unveiled a groundbreaking innovation — the Police Unmanned Ground Patrol Partner, or PUG for short. It’s being hailed as the nation’s first fully autonomous police patrol vehicle.

While Policing Lab has shared few technical details, it’s known that the vehicle is based on the Ford Police Interceptor Utility and uses autonomous driving technology from Perrone Robotics. This allows PUG to patrol high-crime areas, serving as a visible deterrent to criminal activity.

More importantly, PUG functions as a mobile surveillance unit, equipped with a suite of cameras, a thermal imaging system, and a license plate reader. It also features a drone launch platform, giving law enforcement the ability to gather real-time information from the air. The system can help locate stolen vehicles and alert officers to incidents requiring response.

The pilot program will run for one year, focusing on metrics such as faster response times, enhanced deterrence, improved officer safety, and greater public trust in law enforcement technology.