The Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office recently unveiled a major new innovation: the PUG. The Police Unmanned Ground, commonly referred to as the PUG, is a self-driving and Artificial Intelligence based SUV. It was unveiled Oct. 3 and has been set to be trialed for 12 months, then to be used for actual discipline. It will also be supervised by a real officer to ensure everything runs smoothly. This vehicle is a one of a kind and is the first in the United States to go through this kind of trialing. If all trials go well, its responsibilities will be expanded into higher roles never before given to a fully autonomous vehicle.
The PUG is equipped with many advancements not normally found in a regular patroller. It includes a full AI computer system, thermal imaging, 3D imaging and an impressive deployable drone. These abilities cannot be used until it is thoroughly tested and will remain for now a crime deterrent. Its main focus will be community outreach with the ability for people to give feedback on the car through its trialing. This focus will allow people to get used to the idea of this self-driving car.
Since its debut, the vehicle has attracted lots of attention. Many people are excited about this new shift toward more computer-based police control, believing it can eliminate human flaws and create a more unbiased system.
“Obviously, [the PUG] is not going to hold as much bias in the people they stop. Probably they’d have more accurate reasons to go up to the car,” Miami Palmetto Senior High freshman and driver in training Eric Gonzalez said.
Since the PUG’s AI system is automated, it likely will push towards a more fair police force, who would treat all people the same. In fact, this idea of a more uniformed form of police is the exact goal of the PUG.
However, not everyone has such a positive outlook on this new partner to the Miami-Dade Police Department. Many have serious concerns driving with automated cars, not only from fear, but from experience.
“I see videos of other AI based cars like Tesla’s autopilot, and they go off roads, sometimes they make mistakes or they don’t sense the car in front, so I wouldn’t trust it. I’d be scared,” MPSH junior Mateo Riquez said.
People have seen how other cars using these same systems have made mistakes, and the stakes are much higher for a patrol car than a civilian vehicle. As a result, some Miami drivers speculate that the risk outweighs the reward.
As the 12-month trial progresses, the PUG will be given more challenging and higher rank positions. It will also be subject to civilian suggestions and will be tweaked based on public opinion. No matter if some deem the PUG dangerous or some view it as a beginning to a better police system, it is clear the PUG is going to change the Miami driving scene.
