Miniature Robot Will Allow For Direct Inspection For Explosives and Drugs
EDINA, Minn. – ReconRobotics, Inc. has announced the introduction of the Recon Scout® Under Vehicle Inspection (UVI) robot – a miniature, mobile device that visually inspects the undercarriages of vehicles for explosives, drugs and other contraband. Equipped with sophisticated optical systems that operate in extremely low-light environments, the Recon Scout UVI can transmit clear, crisp video of a vehicle undercarriage up to 300 feet to a handheld Operator Control Unit (OCU), or up to 1,000 feet to a ReconRobotics Command Monitoring Station. Because the Recon Scout UVI is small and portable, it is ideally suited to short-term security situations that require vehicle inspections, including bomb squad reconnaissance of suspicious vehicles, advance team reconnaissance along motorcade routes, police roadblocks, and temporary checkpoints at the entrances to airports and large-scale sporting events. The ReconScout UVI can also be used in a permanent capacity at border checkpoints and the entrances to secure government facilities.
Law enforcement personnel direct the movement of the Recon Scout UVI using the thumb-controlled joystick on the OCU. As the robot moves beneath a vehicle, its auto-focus optics and 60-degree field of view allow personnel to inspect the entire undercarriage of most vehicles with just one pass. Unlike mirrored devices, this robot provides a direct, close-up view of the undercarriage, not a reflected view.
According to CEO, Alan Bignall, the Recon Scout UVI will give police and security agencies new capabilities and greater versatility. “With the Recon Scout UVI, law enforcement personnel will be able to establish vehicle checkpoints anywhere, at any time,” says Bignall. “If the Homeland Security threat level is raised, and critical infrastructure such as airports, power plants and chemical facilities go on heightened alert, this device will allow for vehicle inspection points to be set up within minutes. This capability can saves lives and prevent catastrophic damage to property.”
More than 100 police, security and military agencies worldwide already use the standard Recon Scout and the Recon Scout IR for tactical reconnaissance in high-risk operations involving barricaded suspects, hostage rescues, room-clearing missions and narcotics raids. The robot can help determine the location of suspects and the layout of rooms, identify the types of weapons the suspects might have, and gain knowledge about the number, condition and locations of hostages. Armed with this information, tactical teams can plan with greater confidence and mitigate risks to its personnel and to hostages.
The standard Recon Scout UVI Kit includes one Recon Scout UVI robot, a handheld Operator Control Unit, charging units and cables for the robot and OCU, and a padded traveling case. Also available is an optional Recon Scout Command Monitoring Station that allows commanders to receive and assess all video transmissions from the Recon Scout UVI from up to 1,000 feet away.
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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