ROBOT dogs are being lined up to help halt the flow of contraband such as drugs and mobile phones into prison.
The mutts would be fitted with cameras so they can continuously patrol outside jails watching for escapes or illicit goods being thrown over the walls.
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It will spare prison officers from going on time-consuming patrols.
And the mechanical pooches could also become pets for well-behaved prisoners who would use virtual reality headsets to take them on walks in the country.
The ideas are being considered by the Government as it tests virtual reality software.
It might also allow officers using headsets to step safely into scenarios such as riots, fires, and hostage situations — without leaving the classroom.
An IT expert said of the VR training: “In the past, training was either done on paper or through traditional video simulators.
“VR training is much more immersive because it places the user in the environment in which they are operating.
“The goal is to help officers train as if they were actually in the field, so they can learn how to deal with real-world situations and have an easier time analysing such situations on their own.”
Ministry of Justice boss Jo Farrar was pictured alongside a robot dog at a tech innovation gathering.
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She said: “From Virtual Reality prison simulation to Robot Dogs – great to experience some of the future tech that could help transform service delivery.”
