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It is the thermal, high definition, 360-degree vision that makes this robot a valid contribution to security operations. It resembles a cone and harbours multiple cameras and sensors.

"This robot allows access to a full set of integrated information as it can detect smoke, CO2 or methane gas and water, among others", states Carlos Pinho , project manager at the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering of Porto (INESC TEC).

The robot does not yet have an official name and it is the result of a consortium of companies. It was developed by INESC TEC and the aim was to "reduce additional costs with security operations and complement human activity", explained Carlos Pinho, stressing that the system "allows the human operator to ask the robot to move. Therefore, the robot can perform activities which may be harmful for humans".

"All recorded video is streamed to a set of servers and processed in real time, and if a person passes in front of a camera, because the robot has a 360-degree vision, an alarm is sent to the human operator", the project manager stated.

The robot can also recognise license plates, which are then compared with those marked as suspect in databases. Therefore, the robot can be used in parking lots. "And with thermal cameras, using the temperature of the engine and tires, the robot can detect if the car has just arrived", he adds.
The project manager does not believe that this robot will replace a security operator; it will only “complement their operations, especially when it comes to supervising and taking action when necessary".

"The robot is particularly useful in operations which are dangerous for humans, for instance in a place where there is a gas leak. If the security operators suspect an intrusion that poses a threat, they can also send the robot to find out. Therefore, human operators will not be replaced", explained Carlos Pinho.

The project was supported by the NSRF [National Strategic Reference Framework], and it required an investment of about 1.2 million Euros. According to Carlos Pinho, the robot has “a clearly potential for export".

"There is currently nothing similar on the market ", says project manager."The closest thing is the product of a Korean company that was designed for prisons; however, it still lacks many of the features implemented here”, he guaranteed.

TVI 24 Online, 6 July 2012