Watch: Robot dogs patrol Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate

Donald Trump has bolstered his security at Mar-a-Lago with robot dog patrols following multiple attempts on his life.

The robot, which has been seen patrolling the grounds of the president-elect’s Florida estate, is equipped with “surveillance technology” and operated by the Secret Service.

It comes as a Chinese national was charged with trespassing after trying to enter Mar-a-Lago two days after Mr Trump’s election victory on Tuesday night.

Footage shows the red-and-white robot dog, which has a “do not pet” warning stamped on its legs, patrolling the country club’s manicured lawns.

It appears to be performing a panoramic sweep of the grounds: walking forward before turning 90 degrees to sidle along, then turning another 90 degrees to face the opposite direction.

Another video shows it has been placed along the perimeter of the property to intercept any trespassers who make it across the waters that surround the property.

It is unclear how many robot dogs have been deployed around Mr Trump’s estate.

“While we cannot get into the specific capabilities, the robotic dogs are equipped with surveillance technology, and an array of advanced sensors that support our protective operations,” an agency spokesman told The New York Post.

“Safeguarding the president-elect is a top priority,” he added.

The Secret Service has been fiercely criticised for its security failings following two attempts on Mr Trump’s life earlier this year.

In July, the president-elect was grazed by a bullet while he addressed supporters at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

In September, a second gunman allegedly lay in wait for the Republican candidate at a Florida golf course for 12 hours with an assault rifle before being intercepted by the Secret Service.

On Friday, the justice department announced it had broken up an Iranian plot to kill Mr Trump.

Chinese national arrested

The news comes as Zijie Li, a 39-year-old Chinese national, was arrested after apparently trying to enter Mar-a-Lago on Thursday while Mr Trump was on the property.

Mr Li, who lives in Los Angeles on a student visa, had just been released from a mental hospital and arrested once before for trying to get into the estate, authorities said.

He has been charged with misdemeanour trespassing after arriving at its south gate in an Uber taxi, and is being held in Palm Beach county jail without bail.

The police report does not suggest he planned to make an attempt on Mr Trump’s life, saying he wanted to “make contact with the president-elect”.

Mr Li had tried twice before to enter Mar-a-Lago shortly after the Butler assassination attempt, telling Secret Service agents that he had evidence that China was responsible. He was told not to return.

The following week he twice tried to make his way onto the estate and was charged with misdemeanour trespassing, with a judge ordering him to stay away from Mar-a-Lago and Mr Trump.

Mr Li was held at a mental hospital for observation last week after he asked a woman who lives near Mar-a-Lago if she could take him inside. He was released on Thursday before he returned again to the country club.

Mar-a-Lago was the scene of at least five intrusions during Mr Trump’s first term as president, including two by Chinese nationals.