Device Will Enable Military and Police Reconnaissance of Rugged Environments
EDINA, Minn. – ReconRobotics, Inc. today announced the introduction of the Recon Scout® XT throwable reconnaissance robot that will allow military personnel and police tactical teams to conduct immediate visual reconnaissance of challenging indoor environments and rugged outdoor landscapes of dirt, sand and rocks. Equipped with large motors, powerful drive trains and aggressive wheels, the throwable Recon Scout XT can be directed to quietly move through a building, bunker or cave and transmit real-time video back to the warfighter’s handheld operator control units. This video can be used to locate civilians, enemy combatants or explosive devices, and enable the warfighter to gain situational awareness during urban warfare operations or remote reconnaissance missions. In police tactical operations the Recon Scout XT can provide real-time reconnaissance during operations involving high-risk warrants, barricaded suspects and hostage rescues.
The Recon Scout XT is just eight inches long and weighs just 1.3 lbs., making it extremely easy to carry and throw. Moreover, deploying the Recon Scout XT takes just 5 seconds, and using it requires no special training. Simply pull the activation pin and throw the device through a doorway or over a wall, or drop it down a vertical shaft using a tether. Using a single joystick on the operator control unit (OCU), a tactical team leader or warfighter can then direct the device to move through the environment and send back real-time video. Equipped with an infrared optical system that automatically turns on when the ambient light is low, the Recon Scout XT can transmit video up to 100 feet indoors and 300 feet outdoors, day or night. The Recon Scout XT may also be specified in any of three transmitting frequencies, allowing police and military personnel to operate up to three robots in the same environment at the same time.
According to CEO, Alan Bignall, the Recon Scout XT fills an urgent need in military operations. “The impetus for the XT design was provided by the U.S. military, which frequently operates in rugged urban terrain and remote, dusty environments,” says Bignall. “Our engineers responded by giving them the speed, power and maneuverability they wanted in a very small, easy-to-deploy system. We believe that police tactical units will also appreciate the speed and versatility of the new XT because they, too, must operate in a wide range of environments, day or night.”
More than 100 police and security agencies, including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the National Reconnaissance Office and several branches of the U.S. military already use Recon Scout robots for tactical reconnaissance. In addition to its maneuverability and speed, the new Recon Scout XT has several characteristics that make it ideally suited to such operations:
Small: Just eight inches long and weighing 1.3 pounds, the XT can be easily carried in a pocket or on a vest.
Stealthy: Its matte black finish and quiet operation makes it extremely difficult to see.
Easy To Deploy: Simply pull the pin and throw the robot into the environment. A single thumb-controlled joystick on the OCU controls the movement of the robot.
Perceptive: IR optical systems automatically turn on when the ambient light is low enabling the robot to “see” in complete darkness.
Durable: Constructed with a titanium shell and toughened electronics, the XT can survive repeated horizontal throws of 120 feet and vertical drops of 30 feet.
About ReconRobotics, Inc.
ReconRobotics is a leader and innovator in ultra-light tactical, micro-robot and UGV systems. Over 5,000 of the company’s Recon Scout® and Throwbot® systems have been deployed by the U.S. military, first responders and international friendly forces, and by more than 900 law enforcement agencies, worldwide. These systems save lives by providing immediate situational awareness and greater standoff distance to warfighters and law enforcement personnel during high-risk operations. ReconRobotics is based in Edina, Minnesota, and markets its products through a distribution network in 35 countries.
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