Robot police officers will be patrolling our streets in just five years, an expert has predicted.
The real-life 'robocops' will be able to detect, pursue and apprehend suspects, according to Professor Ivan Sun, from the University of Delaware.
Forces across the world are already struggling to keep on top of mounting crime, specialist criminal networks and an ever-depleted police force, he explained.
Humanoid robots are already in use in China - and Professor Sun expects it won't be long until the idea catches on.
By 2031, he predicts robot police officers will have the capability to use facial recognition to find criminals, chase after and detain them.
While they would likely need a human partner to accompany them, they would be extremely useful in dangerous situations, he explained.
'The sky is really the limit. Take a robbery, for instance - they could really take control of the scene,' he said.
'They could chase you for five miles and they won't get tired. At the same time, while they are chasing the suspect, they can scan the suspect's bio and characteristics. Their AI can detect from 200 metres away if the suspect has a weapon or not. A human officer would not be able to do that.'
Professor Sun said robocops could use AI to detect whether a suspect has a weapon from 200 metres away.
While there are obvious legal and moral implications to their rollout, he believes the rollout of robot police officers is inevitable.
'Engaging in the use of force, engaging in high-speed chase - it's not in our imagination, it's coming up,' he said.
'My predictions are these robots will do straight law enforcement, probably within a couple of years.'
Alongside 'robocop', human police officers will likely be equipped with AI-powered helmets to boost their capabilities, according to the expert.
During a high-stakes situation, for example, the AI could analyse 'whether to shoot or not to shoot', Professor Sun explained.
But he warned there are a plenty of considerations that need to be discussed, especially when it comes to legislation and privacy issues, before robocops are integrated into local communities.
Professor Sun is currently polling police officers across the world - including in the UK - to get their opinion on AI-powered bobbies.
As part of the research officers are shown two clips - one showing a 'service' robot which assists with public relations and community policing, while another shows a 'crime-fighting' robot which can chase and apprehend suspects.
Professor Sun expects that in Western countries, including the UK, officers will lean more towards the crime fighting robot.
'The fighting robots can really reduce the possible danger (of situations) and the unpredictability associated with them,' he said.
'You already have bomb robots - you send the bomb robot so you don't need to send a human being to take care of the bombs.'
He added that a robot could 'probably do the job of three officers' without the need for breaks or rest.
A recent study, carried out by Professor Sun and published in the Asian Journal of Criminology, involved asking Chinese police officers for their views on the use of AI-powered robots in policing.
It reads: 'Amidst intensifying demands on law enforcement and the growing complexity of crime, jurisdictions worldwide have begun integrating artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robots into policing operations.
'Countries such as China, the USA, Singapore and the UAE have piloted robotic systems with varying degrees of autonomy, often incorporating technologies such as facial recognition and predictive algorithms.
'These developments reflect a broader trend in the technological transformation of policing, where AI, including embodied AI (e.g. robots) is increasingly leveraged in the hope of enhancing operational efficiency, officer wellbeing and, ultimately, public safety.'
The paper adds that although their current use is 'largely symbolic'...the situation is 'likely to change quickly as the technology continues to evolve.'
'The deployment of AI-powered police robots represents a new frontier in the technological transformation of policing,' it adds.
Examples of police robots already in use include the Xavier robot in Singapore which patrols public spaces to detect 'undesirable social behaviours' such as smoking before relaying the information to human officers.
In China, AI-powered robots such as the AnBot have been integrated into security systems to conduct surveillance, verify identities and patrol transport hubs. In the UAE, robots have been used in more service-oriented roles such as greeting tourists or providing multilingual assistance during large events.
The study concludes: 'Our findings also show greater support for crime-fighting robots than service robots.
'Officers may feel that crime-fighting robots with technology-enhanced capabilities are particularly useful to strengthen their effectiveness in intelligence gathering, offence detection, and criminal apprehension.
'Officers may also believe that their safety would be greatly improved by having robots perform some risky tasks (e.g., control of suspects with weapons and disposal of explosive devices).'
Professor Sun has discussed his research at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference in Phoenix, Arizona.