AUTONOMOUS PATROL DRONE (APS)

BACKGROUND

A future thinking workshop was conducted with 10 participants to address a real socio-economic issue. The workshop provided participants the opportunity to learn design fiction in the development of near-future scenarios. In addition, participants developed critical and creative thinking skills, and most importantly had fun imagining a near-future.

As the workshop was only four hours, desk and field research was conducted prior to the workshop to provide participants with reference material as stimulus for the exercise. The following brief was provided to participants prior to the workshop:

To better understand how autonomous robotic devices (ARDs) can help address the ongoing struggle to recruit and retain law enforcement officers through a design fiction workshop. Participants will conceptualize, write, and created ways that ARDs can help with reduced law enforcement personnel.

PRE-WORKSHOP

Workshop participants were provided the following background and context to prepare for the exercise.

There is an increasing shortage of law enforcement officers in many municipalities, which poses a challenge for local communities as well as the safety of officers. The following are several key reasons municipalities struggle to recruit and retain law enforcement officers:

• Compensation

• Working conditions; dangerous, long hours, work-life balance, etc.

• Negative community perception, lack of respect, poor public image, high-profile use-of-force incidents

• Physical requirements

• Quality of candidates, failed background checks

• Competition with geographically close agencies

Ongoing attempts to attract and incentivize new recruits have not provided effective solutions. Some types of incentives being used are:

• Hiring bonuses

• Tiered salary increases

• Reduced hiring requirements and barriers

• Ride-along outreach to students and community members

• Web-based and social media outreach

• Improved work-life-balance programs, shorter academy training, flexible schedules

• Hybrid training – online and in-person, especially for rural agencies

• Increase media campaigns

• Material perks; use of patrol cars, clothing allowance, casual uniform options

Current uses of ARDs in policing are:

• Security overwatch of large-scale outdoor public events; event security and preparation

• Capture aerial footage of traffic accidents; accident scene reconstruction

• Disaster response; deployed during natural disasters

• Assist with search and rescue operations

• 3D mapping and information collection for crime scene investigations

• Search operations in buildings and tight and hard-to-reach areas

• SWAT operations to provide overwatch and expanded visual optics, day or night

In addition to various references, mock news headlines were provided as additional stimulus. For example:

• Communities concerned as facial recognition drone use increases.

• Data security experts alarmed by increased access to personal data by law enforcement.

• Downtown Hartford sees a 57% decrease in street crime when monitored by drones.

• Kensington Police adopt drone and dogbot patrols to reduce street crime.

• CHP creates YouTube series to address poor recruitment numbers.

• Des Moines struggles to fill law enforcement openings due to ongoing budget limitations.

• Chula Vista PD adopts ARDs for patrol vehicles.

• Anduril develops first patrol drone for law enforcement use.

DURING THE WORKSHOP

An introduction to the agenda and design fiction was followed by a review of the background materials and mock headlines. Visual examples of drone use within policing were posted on the walls of the room. It was explained that ARDs are not a futuristic technology and are being incorporated into more police, fire, and military settings. Facilitators challenged participants throughout the workshop with questions and ongoing probes to help expand and narrow ideas. For example:

• What are the dangers of single officer patrols?

• Is K9 usage an effective use of resources?

• What challenges due inner-city patrol officers encounter daily?

• Do rural police officers have different challenges compared to urban officers?

• What does a typical traffic stop look like?

• What if a backup officer was 30 minutes away and an officer needed help?

Two groups of five participants were organized. The groups were instructed to discuss the background materials and overall assignment, conduct a SWOT analysis and a Six Thinking Hats review regarding current policing and the use of ARDs. Participants then ideated on possible ways that law enforcement can expand ARDs as recruitment and retainment becomes an increasing challenge. In addition, all participants received IDEA BOOSTERS and IDEA KILLERS cards to assist during ideation.

Groups shared ideas and a dot-voting session was used to narrow the list. The participants agreed on the adoption of drones and dogbots being used in patrol cars. The chosen direction was due to several factors:

• More officers patrolling without a partner

• High cost to train and maintain K9 officers

• Attract younger demographics with modern technology opportunities

• Leverage AI for improved data access and to improve suspect identification

• Leverage ARDs to supplement lack of officers

The workshop addressed the following question:

What if drones and dogbots were utilized in patrol cars to address limited law enforcement resources?

POST WORKSHOP

Approximately one week after the workshop, the following illustrations were shared to participants. Based on the group’s ideas and rough illustrations drawn during the workshop, these low-fidelity archetypes were developed to visually communicate how ARDs could be used in current, real-world situations.

A follow-up online video discussion was held to drive further discussion, share additional comments and questions, as well as new ideas. Overall feedback from the participants was positive as all asked to be included in the next public workshop.

Small patrol drones utilized in all patrol cars with one officer. USB-C charging and easy deployment during traffic stops. Real-time support and backup capabilities. Equipped with advanced sensors, high-resolution cameras, and extended battery life, patrol drones collect invaluable real-time data while providing visual deterrents and increased officer safety.

Patrol drones released during traffic stops to provide ongoing support. Biometric sensors and AI data access provide real-time information on vehicle occupants, as well as monitoring for weapons, illegal drugs, or other contraband. The drones also provide a visual deterrent to prevent occupants from potentially engaging in dangerous activities during the stop. In addition, if a suspect flees the drone can magnetically attach to the fleeing vehicle to reduce dangerous pursuits.

Patrol drones and dogbots provide onsite backup and support. The patrol drone provides real-time communication and provides crime scene recording, while the dogbot equipped with tasers, pepper-spray, and other equipment can help control and detain resisting suspects.

Patrol drones and dogbots provide swift and effective support during foot chases reducing officer injury while tracking and recording for pursuit and scene investigation. Drones and dogbots can be equipped with thermal imaging, speakers, and high-definition cameras to ensure suspects are captured and detained. In addition, patrol drone and dogbot pursuits can reduce the need for resource intensive and time-consuming aerial support (e.g., helicopters). As AI capabilities increase, the autonomous potential to pursue with limited officer direction provides increased benefits for swift and safe pursuits.

Real-time monitoring of patrol drones and dogbots can support officers, ensure adequate backup, and 360-degree crime scene data accumulation. Coordinated operations between officer and dispatcher/operator can result in safer operations and real-time support. Leveraging advances in AI, thousands of data streams are turned into real-time, 3D command and control center.

Patrol drones and dogbots provide real-time suspect and vehicle occupant information. The information can be projected ont heads-up displays within car windshield or via smart-glasses. Improved AI and triangulation of multiple data sources along with biometric sensors ensure officers have proper information as well as an additional source of crime scene data.