Nottinghamshire Police will trial a robot police dog in the UK for the first time, designed to assist in tracking criminals. The remote-controlled device, equipped with thermal imaging cameras, could enter service as early as next year. It can produce detailed three-dimensional scans of indoor spaces, allowing officers to map entry and exit routes safely.
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Funded by the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser, the robot will undergo a 12-week testing programme led by the force’s firearms training unit. Scenarios will include armed sieges, hostage situations, and building searches. Feedback from these trials will be sent to the Home Office with recommendations on front-line use.
The robot is equipped with AI cameras capable of detecting weapons such as handguns, knives, baseball bats, and hammers. It also has a loudspeaker to issue commands remotely and uses lasers to scan internal spaces, providing officers with a kilometre of operational range.
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Superintendent Louise Clarke emphasised that the robot will not replace traditional police dogs or be armed. Instead, it is intended to enhance officer and public safety, particularly in high-risk situations involving chemical or biological agents. She described the technology as a potential revolution in policing.
