BELGIUM: Mobile robots have arrived on the Belgian security market

Record ID: 401783

  • Title: BELGIUM: Mobile robots have arrived on the Belgian security market
  • Date: 29th October 2005
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (French) STEPHANE BOCQUE, MARKETING MANAGER OF GROUP 4 SECURICOR SAYING: "They (the robots) are always there to complement ours agents on the ground. It is only a system of mobile detection that can detect some intruders, detect all persons in a relatively wide perimeter and 360 degrees round, and also to transmit images at distance."
  • Embargoed: 13th November 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Belgium
  • Country: Belgium
  • Topics: Science / Technology
  • Reuters ID: LVA4UOMJW7DJ0PN1MU91YRY7ANHS
  • Story Text: A strange machine has appeared on the streets of Brussels. Surprised passers-by stopped and stared at the 'eye' on the moving head of a new security robot. OFRO, as it is called, and it's partner MOSRO were the first security robots to patrol the city's streets. On Thursday (October 27), a top Belgian security company introduced the two new robots, destined for the country's security market, to the Brussels press. These two "Robowatchs", will be able to do day or night patrols on their own.
    OFRO (meaning off road) is also the world's first robot capable of doing exterior surveillance on any kind of ground. Thanks to its caterpillars, it can move on rough terrain. OFRO is equipped with a camera and movement detector. When it detects something suspect, it rings the alarm for a security agent on the site or at a distance. The agent can speak to the intruder, through a microphone incorporated in the robot. OFRO weighs 50 kilos and can go to 7 km/h. It was created to guard airports, ports, industrial and military sites.
    Group 4 Securicor, leader of the Belgium security market, wants these robots to assist security agents in their surveillance work. Stephane Bocque, Marketing Manager, explains that the robot is meant to work with security personnel. "They (the robots) are always there to complement ours agents on the ground. It is only a system of mobile detection that can detect some intruders, detect all persons in a relatively wide perimeter and 360 degrees round, and also to transmit images at distance," Bocque told Reuters.
    Moreover, "Robowatchs" can also detect five sorts of gas and other products. The firm wants to get security contracts from chemical factories or even nuclear installations. The firm underlines that it is impossible to buy or hire such robots by themselves. They come as a package coupling a robot and a human security guard.
    The robots are built in Germany but Group 4 Securicor, which does business in 108 countries, has more than 300 robots in activity all around the world. The company has insured its workers that the robots would not impact employment. The robot will be the 'eye' of the security agent. And the agent has to ' help educate' the robot, showing it the places to go and to watch. For now OFRO and MOSRO will only do preventative work.
    "I think it is too early to answer the question about supplementary equipment, of intervention for example. Nevertheless we have to pay attention to the legislation in force, we can't do just anything we want. Our agents also can't used pepper spray or arms or anything in this kind. So the goal is not an aggressive one. The goal is a preventative one, and for security, mainly preventative," said Bocque.
    The market for security robots is expanding, even for private purposes. Since August 2005, two Japanese companies Tmsuk and Sanyo have launched their first 'robot house-sitter' : Roborior.
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