By Ulf Stremmel

Security robots are by now developed and used all over the world.  (Photo by Robowatch Technologies)

 

What do you visualise when you think of a robot?  Most probably, you will remember that Science Fiction film.  You might come to think of the funny small R2D2 from Star Wars, maybe you remember ominous robot stories where machines want to conquer humanity.  Some of you might remember the theatre play by the Czech Karel Capek from 1923, where the term ”Robotnik” -- Czech for ”slave labourer” was first introduced. Machines performing an automatic task have been called robots ever since.

FROM INDUSTRIAL ROBOT TO MOBILE SERVICE ROBOT

Whoever is concerned with robots nowadays, will at first realise: THE robot doesn’t exist. Thanks to further development in the sector of automation, digitalisation, miniaturisation and mobile communication, technical applications have now become possible which -- only a decade ago -- where dreams of the future.

Today, experts distinguish between two different sub types: (1) on the one hand there are industrial robots being used for production since the last mid-century.  They are immobile, used to perform a certain task and do not interact with humans.  Their work is limited to sub-processes within a specified process.  (2) On the other hand, there are mobile robots autonomously and intelligently supporting or entertaining humans or relieve them from monotonous tasks.  This includes personal robots, which are mainly used in a private environment by an individual customer -- be it for independent vacuum cleaning, as window cleaner or toy.  There are also service robots used professionally.  They assist doctors in operations, are able to independently fly a plane -- or they can watch premises.

Security robots are by now developed and used all over the world.  In World Robotic Survey 2004, statistics of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) document, that the market for security robots is only in its early stages and extremely promising.  In 1998, only about 50 sold units where in use worldwide.  At the end of 2003, 600 were already used.  The market share of applications for security and defence currently averages 5 percent.  Until 2007, IFR and UN ECE anticipate a quadruplicating of units and an increase of the market from a current 70 million US Dollar to 350 million US Dollar.  No other sector of professional service robots receives such predictions for growth by economic experts.

MOBILE AND AUTONOMOUS

Why are mobile security robots in surveillance promised such market chances?  What renders them so useful?  This question is quickly answered.  They are able to patrol a large area for hours, report unauthorised access automatically, are able to detect war gases and industrial gases as well as radioactive material and can resist bitter cold just as well as scorching heat.  They never tire, don’t disclose company secrets and are incorruptible.  In the event of catastrophe in particular the support of such a robot can be extremely valuable.

FAST REACTION IN THE EVENT OF CATASTROPHE

9/11 has changed the security sector.  London, Madrid, Tokyo -- terrorist attacks must be expected anywhere in the world.  Governments fear attacks on public institutions.  Each major event means an increased security risk.  At 2005’s world exposition Expo, the Japanese show what security robots can contribute.  ”This is the first World Expo in which measures against terrorist attacks are top priority,” Toshio Nakamura, Secretary General of the Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition, told the news agency Agence France Press.  Next to an increased police presence the Japanese will employ a prototype of the robot manufacturer Tmsuk Co. Ltd.: Ligurio moves at seven kilometres an hour and -- by using microwave sensors -- is able to recognise strangers at day and by night within a 50-metre perimeter.  The security robot -- 150 cm tall -- is equipped with a voice warning system and two arms enabling him to transport explosive or toxic chemical containers to safe locations.  For Tmsuk company spokesman Daisako Sudo, the advantages are easily discernible, ”A robot can be fixed or reproduced when it’s broken, but human beings cannot have replacement.” The Japanese Ministry of Economics considers the commercialisation of such robots the first important step for the further expansion of the professional service robot market.  As fast as possible, the government aims at developing a platform for mobile robot technology that can be used in the most diverse applications -- also in view of the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.

SECURITY AT MAJOR EVENTS

In Europe things are one step ahead.  Mobile security robots by Robowatch Technologies for indoor and outdoor service are already employed worldwide, in particular to watch major building sites, harbour facilities, airports, sport facilities or private residencies.  Thanks to a distributorship agreement with Group4 Securicor, Robowatch is active in 24 countries in Europe, Asia and the U.S.A.  Recently, a contract with Siemens SBT, hitherto limited to Germany, could be extended to include Europe and the U.S.A.

INTELLIGENT LIFE-SAVER

The model OFRO+detect -- developed by Robowatch Technologies and the German gas-measuring specialist DRA‥GER SAFETY and using technologies by Diehl DGT Defence -- will be employed in the Berlin Olympic Stadium.  It is the worldwide first mobile security robot able to detect nuclear, biological and chemical hazards.  The outdoor appliance, which can be used on any terrain, is equipped with Multi-IMS (ion mobility spectrometer) and able to detect all current war gases and toxic industrial gases.  ”Hitherto, humans had to risk their lives to detect danger sources under hazardous conditions.  OFRO+detect assumes this task and -- within seconds -- delivers an exact analysis,” says Dr. Jens Hanke, Chief Developer of Robowatch Technologies.

PROFESSIONAL ACCIDENT APPLICATION

Mobile security robots of this type are not only suitable for fending off terrorist attacks but can also keep industrial facilities under surveillance.  The potentiality of accidents -- for instance in chemical plants, nuclear power stations or during transports of hazardous substances -- is often high.  In the event of catastrophe, robots, equipped with a gas detection system, can intervene immediately and thus reduce costs.  Damages quickly reach millions, if suddenly occurring toxic gases or vapours are recognised too late.  The impact-resistant and weatherproof casing of the outdoor model OFRO enables the protection of outdoor premises, as fluctuations in temperature from - 20 to 60 degrees pose no problem.  The chain drive and the robot’s agile construction enable the robot to easily negotiate uneven ground. With a total weight of only 65 kilograms, the intelligent watchman is able to patrol for up to 12 hours and at a speed of seven kilometres an hour.

EFFECTIVE PROTECTION FROM TRESPASSING

The robot -- better and more effectively than any human -- protects premises from unauthorised trespassers.  An LCD and infrared camera is integrated into the sensor head, which revolves by 360 degrees, and is able to recognise potential perpetrators with entering the premises already.  Completely independent of weather, territorial conditions or unforeseeable movements of animals, the robot is able to detect the entrance of an unauthorised person and report the occurrence to the control room.  An onboard DGPS receiver ensures accurate navigation and is additionally equipped with two receivers for correctional data.  ”By means of GPRS, UMTS or WLAN, the robot keeps constant contact to the control room,” explains Hanke.  All data reported by OFRO is received here, and, in the case of emergency, measures to protect facilities are taken here.  If necessary, radio can be used to transmit data to security staff in the closest vicinity.

INCORRUPTIBLE AND SILENT

The mobile security robot can also show its advantages in indoor use: silent surveillance and access control of sensitive company sectors -- whether prototype department of an automobile manufacturer, securing large money supplies or monitoring sensitive products or stock.  For these purposes, a surveillance robot offers services a person could only partially fulfil.  At four kilometres an hour and for up to 14 hours the indoor surveillance model MOSRO by Robowatch Technologies patrols specified routes -- also those difficult to negotiate.  Without moving, MOSRO, weighing 25 kilograms, permanently monitors an area of up to 1,000 square metres -- even where harmful substances are stored.  Fully automatic, highly concentrated, incorruptible and silent.  ”With its gas-measuring detector, the robot is able to localise even small smouldering fires,” says Hanke.  Equipped with ultrasonic sensors, movement scanner and camera, it is able to identify suspect events or movements in complete darkness and through walls.  If a person gains unauthorised access to the premises, the robot will demand identification in up to 24 languages.  Identification must be effected by means of fingerprint or other criteria, for instance special identification cards.  If this is denied, a signal and video recordings will be sent to human security personnel in the control room or to a mobile telephone enabling fast assessment of the situation and facilitating appropriate reaction.

NO SUBSTITUTION OF HUMANS

The fear, a mobile security robot for indoor and outdoor employment could replace humans is unfounded.  The applications already mentioned show that humans are merely relieved of monotonous tasks or those too hazardous.  The surveillance robot enables more effective protection from trespassing as his senses considerably exceed those of humans -- not only in terms of concentration, but also rapidity and endurance. Small robots like this also facilitate temporary employment at cost covering prices -- for instance at expositions or premises rented short-term.  Fast installation renders fixing stationary -- and more expensive -- surveillance systems unnecessary.  Robots thus are a chance for security companies to expand their client base and become active in other market sectors.  Security robots can thus assist to manage the surveillance of large, complex areas in a cost-covering manner.  Robots are thus the reason for a crucial change on the security market.  While, hitherto, an army of security staff dominated the protection of assets and premises, security robots can now be employed in many areas.

EASY OPERATION

The market sector has long been recognised as such, and scientists have continued to puzzle on appliances offering a considerable amount of technology.  But often, they were unsuitable for daily professional employment.  But in the security sector in particular, it is vital to quickly integrate robots into an existing team of security personnel and to enable persons to easily operate those appliances.  Only then a service robot does justice to its name and offers a real service to humans.  Such appliances’ software must be applied in a manner to render installation and servicing easy and must not cause more effort than conventional alarm systems.

INTEGRATION INTO SECURITY CONCEPT

Those considering the acquisition of security robots should not only think about lowering costs.  If floors or office floors are to be monitored, employing a robot does probably not pay off.  If a large area is to be protected, the automatic watchmen can play off their advantages.  However, the robot must be integrated into an overall concept, and staff must be trained.

The enormous amount of data produced by such an appliance in particular must be directed and analysed.  A security robot can be adjusted to particular requirements and can thus be integrated into any environment.  Only this reduces actual costs and is a support and no burden.

SECURITY ROBOTS IN THE FUTURE

What will security robots look like in ten years’s time?  It is only established that robot technology will be the key technology of the 21st century.  ”It will alter radically the way we live our lives day-to-day,” forecasts Dan Kara, president of the magazine ”Robotic Trends”.  It is also certain that further application areas will open in the years to come.  The range in which a security robot is able to react and recognise human movements will increase.  Its endurance as well as the ability to remember complicated routes and independently register changes will also increase.  Speech recognition and the ability to react will increase at a tearing pace.  At the Expo 2005, the Japanese introduced a robot woman able to lead a short conversation.  Eventually, we possibly might be able to give security robots linguistic instructions.  In Japan and the U.S.A. in particular, governments strive to push ahead developments in the security sector.  Japan, as fast as possible, wants to prepare for an ageing society with fewer young and spread the work of security personnel on fewer people and many robots.  The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of the Japanese Ministry of Economy particularly aims at advancing further development of robot technology and currently provides 30 million US Dollars for the development of commercial security robots.  The U.S.A. is particularly interested in military applications in the Homeland Security sector such as unmanned ground vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles or unmanned arial vehicles and invests billions of US Dollars.  Based on these developments, experts expect that the market for service robots will overtake the economically dominating market for industrial robots in the current year or the next.

Ulf Stremmel is General Manager of Robowatch Technologies (www.robowatch.de).

For more information, please send your e-mails to swm@infothe.com.

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