Authorities in Mexico’s Guadalupe, Nuevo León, this week unveiled four robot dogs that will be part of the security devices at BBVA Stadium, one of the three Mexican venues of the 2026 World Cup.
The “K9-X” unit functions as a kind of first responder only. The robot dogs are not armed, but each unit incorporates video cameras, night vision, and communication systems that are used to issue warnings or instructions. Its function is to deter illegal activity, detect unusual behavior, identify suspicious objects, control crowds, and immediately alert law enforcement when the system deems necessary.
Robot dogs operate semi-autonomously: They do not make decisions or execute movements on their own. Instead, they require an operator to control them as if they were handling a drone or a video game. The operator can even use the robot’s command system to issue instructions during a crisis.
“These K9-X robot dogs are going to support the police with an initial intervention, providing video and ultimately entering high-risk locations—that is, before public security forces go in—and to protect officers’ physical safety, the robots will intervene in the event of a fight or an intoxicated person,” Héctor García, mayor of Guadalupe, said at a press conference. “We have good police officers, and we are working hand in hand with cutting-edge technology for the safety of the people of Guadalupe.”
The K9-X unit has already made its first official intervention. During the last match of Club de Futbol Monterrey in the Concachampions, the robots patrolled the perimeter of the BBVA Stadium. According to the official press release, the “robodogs” carried out preventive patrols at the entrances and in main gathering areas.
The robot dogs are just one part of Guadalupe’s security strategy for the 2026 World Cup. The city also plans to use advanced surveillance drones and anti-drone technology to protect large events. The authorities have not disclosed the model, manufacturer, or many technical details of the K9-X units.
When the World Cup kicks off in June, the BBVA Stadium will host four matches: three in the group stage and one in the round of 16.
This story originally appeared in WIRED en Español and has been translated from Spanish.
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