Self-driving Robocop cars to patrol Dubai by end of year

Dubai city officials have confirmed fully autonomous police cars will be patrolling the United Arab Emirates city before the end of this year.

Created by Singapore-based technology company, OTSAW Digital, the little cop cars aren't expected to be involved in any high-speed chases - after all, Dubai police has a fleet of supercars for that.

Instead, the first autonomous squad car - designated O-R3 -  will navigate the city on its own, relying on its on-board thermal imaging, number plate reader, facial recognition technology and flying droid to detect any crimes in progress.

If criminal activity is observed, the self-driving cop car contacts its remote operator and enters surveillance mode until human colleagues arrive on the scene.

Dubai police say the O-R3 robot cars aren't being introduced to replace human cops, rather the self-driving cop cars will help better manage real manpower around the clock.

It's not the first time Dubai's police force has flirted with futuristic Robocops.

Only last month the oil-rich city introduced its first police bot although its sole job is to help monitor tourists.

The terrifying ten-foot tall robot is said to be also capable of travelling at speeds of up to 70km/h and, with a human operator inside its exoskeleton, is capable of carrying heavy equipment humans can't lift.

Dubai says by 2030 it hopes robots will make up to 25 per cent of its police force.