Dubai likes to be the first or best at many things ranging from their soon to be launched self-flying taxi service, the world’s tallest building and the world’s first 3D printed office. Now the emirate can add a new first to its list: the world’s first deployment of self-driving autonomous mobile surveillance units.

The units, which are planned to be deployed by the end of the year, are essentially small autonomous self-driving cars that scan people as they walk by with the aim of identifying criminals and “undesirables” who are suspected or are breaking laws, according to Gulf News.

Described as being “about the size of a child’s electric toy car,” the vehicles are intended to be deployed by the Dubai government to “boost security and hunt for unusual activity, all the while scanning crowds for potential persons of interest to police and known criminals.”

The vehicles come from Singapore-based digital lab OTSAW Digital. The company describes the vehicle, officially called an “O-R3,” as being able to navigate its surroundings perceptively using advanced machine learning algorithms and 3D SLAM technology. “With profound situation discernment and intuitive environment orientation, O-R3 detects anomalies, avoids obstacles, and self charges when its energy is running flat,” it added.

“Dubai Police are keen to get the latest technology to fight crime,” Major General Al Merri told Gulf News. “We always search for the best technology to serve our police work for a safer and smarter city. We seek to augment operations with the help of technology such as robots. We aim for streets to be safe and peaceful even without heavy police patrol.”

It’s not clear exactly how much an O-R3 costs, but it likley will be hardly be noticed by a country that makes its wealth through its ample oil reserves.

Photo: OTSAW