(or 21 inches wide with the flippers),
and 7. 6 inches high, and a travel case
is available. It is water resistant and
uses a simple joystick control box
similar to a model aircraft R/C system
so it’s easy to master. The control
system weighs 8. 5 pounds, has a
video monitor screen, and includes its
own rechargeable NiMH battery. Its
operations and video/audio communications are accomplished wirelessly by
an 800 foot line-of-sight range RF link.
It has a color video camera, as well as
IR LEDs for low light conditions.
Besides the basic color camera
and low light IR camera, the
Negotiator can be fitted with a
pan and tilt HD color camera, a
microphone, and speaker for remote
communications via a head-mounted
Jabra-type headset. A MultiRAE gas
monitor/detection system is another
available option. Customers can add
their own specialized sensors or
equipment as required.
The robot can travel at up to 3.1
mph and can last up to six hours on
its NiMH batteries; a fast charger
option is available. It is low enough
to travel under a standard car for
inspection with special upper, rear,
and front special lighting available.
The iRobot PackBot
The PackBot shown in Figure 10
is most noted for its military uses, but
many civilian agencies have found its
small size a real plus for all kinds of
field operations. It easily climbs stairs,
rolls over debris and uneven ground,
and navigates narrow, twisting passage ways. PackBot’s dual ‘QuickFlip’
track articulations (or flippers) are
capable of continuous 360-degree
rotation and enable PackBot to
traverse rocks, mud, snow, gravel, and
other tough terrain. The PackBot 510
can range in cost from $65,000 to
over $140,000, depending on accessories and mission configurations.
PackBot’s flexible ‘Tough Trac’ polymer
tracks are one of the secrets to its
amazing traction on all kinds of
surfaces. Like the smaller Negotiator,
the PackBot 510 can climb 60 degree
slopes and stairs, and travel at speeds
of up to 5. 8 mph — faster than the
fastest walking speed.
For law enforcement, the 510
with a ‘First Responder Kit’ is perfect
for SWAT teams, bomb squads,
and HAZMAT units. With various
accessories, the PackBot can sniff out
explosives and other dangerous and
radioactive substances. It has proven
its worth in IED and EOD (explosive
ordnance disposal) in the Middle East
and other areas, and is gaining similar
acceptance in law enforcement
for reconnaissance, checkpoint
inspections, and surveillance.
The PackBot with a HAZMAT
detection kit can collect and sample
dangerous substances in the air,
warfare agents, and radioactive
particulate matter. With a ‘Fido
Explosives Detection Kit’, the robot
uses ultra-sensitive sensors to
determine if substances are harmless
or harmful while keeping operators
at a safe distance. The ‘Engineer Kit’
FIGURE 8.
has been primarily added and used in
military tracking but can be used for
civilian missions. The EOD model is
gaining favor as a light-weight robot
to detect, examine, and safely dispose
of explosives.
Final Thoughts
The two companies discussed
here and their line of remotely
controlled robots represent just a
handful of the many companies
producing state-of-the-art ‘assistants’
to serve law enforcement agencies
and the military.
Go onto the Internet and
you may be amazed at the variety
of companies out there and the
variety of needs they fill. Whatever
challenging situations arise for our
officers and troops, you can bet that
American ingenuity will prevail. SV
FIGURE 9.
FIGURE 10.
SERVO 07.2009
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