Tmsuk Demos Mobile-phone Operated Security Robot

Jan 23, 2009 21:00 Masaru Yoshida, Nikkei Electronics

Tmsuk Co Ltd and security firm Alacom Co Ltd jointly prototyped the "T-34," a compact security robot that can be remotely controlled by a mobile phone.

With the videophone function for NTT DoCoMo Inc's FOMA mobile service, it is possible to control the robot while watching a real-time camera image.

The robot was constructed by modifying a commercially-available radio-controlled car and equipping it with a camera, an infrared presence sensor, a microphone, an LED light and a speaker. Also, it features two "net launchers" manufactured by Nippon Koki Co Ltd and can shoot a net at a suspicious person.

"We are planning to commercialize it in a year," said Yoichi Takamoto, CEO of Tmsuk "It will be priced at ¥500,000 (approx US$5,660) or below."

The security robot measures 520 (W) x 600 (L) x 600mm (H) and weighs about 12kg. It is motor-driven and can travel at 10km/h. The robot moves responding to instructions given through a mobile phone but is not capable of moving autonomously.

When the presence sensor or the microphone detects a suspicious person or abnormality, it is automatically reported to a registered mobile phone carried by a security guard. The guard can move the T-34 and activate the net launcher while watching a camera image provided by the videophone function.

The FOMA service was selected because it allows signal transmission by button operations even when the videophone is being used. Other mobile services in Japan do not allow such operations, but Tmsuk plans to develop a method to make the robot support those services too.

The prototype of the T-34 is mounted with a Ni-metal hydride battery, and its operating time is only about one hour. For its commercialization, "the operating time will be improved by using, for example, a Li-ion secondary battery," Takamoto said.

Also, Tmsuk plans to develop a charging station for the robot. The chassis of the prototype is made of styrofoam, but resin or steel plates will be used to reinforce the chassis for commercialization.

In office buildings equipped with security systems, after an alarm is activated in the event of an abnormality, security guards cannot know what is going on until they arrive at the site. If they rush to the site without caution, there is a risk of being injured. The T-34 was developed to make an appropriate initial reaction and ensure the safety of security guards by sending a robot equipped with a camera and a microphone to the site prior to the guards.

However, the speed of 10km/h is too fast to run inside a building, and its turning radius is too large to turn corners in hallways, Tmsuk said. Therefore, some adjustments will be required before it is deployed in each facility, the company said.

The demonstration of capturing a suspicious person by using the net launcher.

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