Police test robot dog for potential UK rollout

Nottinghamshire Police is trialing a robot dog equipped with cameras, AI weapon detection, LiDAR scanning, and a loudspeaker to handle dangerous situations without risking officers’ lives. The £24,000 unit can climb stairs, scan rooms, carry supplies, and operate where drones cannot, potentially aiding in sieges, hostage incidents, or chemical threats. The three-month test will assess its effectiveness and value before recommendations go to the Home Office, with possible nationwide use by 2026, the BBC has reported. While police stress it won’t be weaponized or replace traditional dogs, the project raises ethical concerns, echoing backlash seen in New York when similar robots were deployed.