Self-driving cop car could hit Miami streets soon
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Courtesy of Policing Lab
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office is testing out a new autonomous police vehicle that is being hailed as the first self-driving patrol vehicle in the U.S.
The big picture: The autonomous vehicle, donated to MDSO by the law enforcement nonprofit Policing Lab, will initially be limited to appearances at community events before the agency considers it for broader use, according to a press release.
How it works: The Police Unmanned Ground vehicle (PUG) Patrol Partner comes equipped with 360-degree cameras, real-time crime data integration, a license-plate reader and the ability to launch a drone from its roof.
What they're saying: Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz told the Miami Herald that the new PUG vehicle will eventually be allowed to drive on public roads with a deputy in the front seat after sufficient community feedback is received.
- It will primarily drive pre-determined routes, the newspaper reported.
- Cordero-Stutz told the Herald that MDSO could conceivably use the PUG as a crime deterrent in "hotspot areas," to provide drone support during an active crime scene or to inform residents about hurricane evacuations.
- It won't be used in police chases, she told the Herald. Its speed will be restricted and it won't be able to drive on highways.
What's next: The 12-month pilot will evaluate outcomes like response times, deterrence, officer safety and public trust, per the press release.
- If an agency wanted to buy a PUG, it would cost between $150,000 and $200,000, a Policing Lab official told the Herald.