Imagine getting a ticket in traffic and ratted on by a Police SUV that doesn’t have an officer in it! This is a real possibility for drivers in Florida. The first autonomous police patrol vehicle is on the streets, unmanned in Miami. 

Florida gets the first unmanned Police SUV 

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office has deployed the first autonomous police patrol vehicle in Florida. Police officers are experimenting with tech that could dramatically change the future of law enforcement. 

It’s called the Police Unarmed Ground Vehicle Patrol Partner, or PUG. It’s an ongoing experiment by Peronne Robotics, a nonprofit policing lab. The SUV can drive itself, detect suspicious activity via cameras powered by artificial intelligence, and deploy drones for aerial surveillance. 

The system integrates with police databases, license plate readers, and crime analytics software in real time. It has 360-degree cameras and thermal imaging to identify people or vehicles in restricted areas. 

A community tablet allows people to provide feedback as PUG serves the public. People can leave feedback and interact with it. This is to help build trust. Also, it looks like a typical Ford Explorer the blend in with traffic. 

It is participating in a year long test pilot program. It could improve public safety. Ideally, it can extend deputy resources and improve efficiency. As a force multiplier, it can automate routine patrols, increase situational awareness, and free up officers for human interactions.  

Each model costs between $150,000 – $200,000. Luckily, the first is being donated. However, the long-term costs are unknown. But this test measures impacts on response times, deterrence, officer safety, and public confidence.