How Robots Can Step in When Emergencies Arise

Written by KOVA Corp

When Robby the Robot burst onto the scene in the 1956 movie “Forbidden Planet,” and later as a regular on the television series “Lost in Space,” the 7-foot-tall character fascinated both kids and adults. Of course fans in those days never could have imagined what a vital role robots would play for military, law enforcement, and emergency response organizations. Consumers could purchase a Roomba® to vacuum their homes—as close as modern technology allows to the Jetsons’ maid, Rosie.

Robots: Less “Rosie,” More “Robocop”

Until recently, the U.S. robotics industry put a large portion of their time into developing technology for the military and security sectors, and we have seen robots in action as they searched for and disabled improvised explosive devices (IEDs).. As the war in Afghanistan winds down, robot manufacturers like iRobot (Roomba’s manufacturer) may be shifting production to consumer products, but they are still involved in the market for the military and security sectors.

Emergency, disaster, and security personnel can still rely on robots to step in whereas in the past, human beings were required to put their lives at risk. Because it decreases risk for human injuries and/or fatalities, sales are going strong. A 2012 report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) confirmed that demand is growing for service robots (robots that assist humans). Total worldwide sales grew to $3.6 billion from 2010 to 2011.

Repurposing Military Robots

iRobot is looking to repurpose its robots from military to industrial applications. Robots that used to dispose of bombs in the past can now be used for standard maintenance and other tasks in nuclear power plants, meaning less radiation exposure for humans. For instance, the Robinson Nuclear Plant near Huntsville, S.C. purchased three such robots in 2012.

Robots were used in another nuclear facility back in March of 2011. When the earthquake and tsunami disaster hit Japan, robots were shipped out to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The robots measured radiation levels and pulled hoses to spray water on fuel rods. iRobot supplied these robots. One of their models is the 510 PackBot, which can be fitted with sensors that can check for radiation and discern when other chemical and biological threats are present.

Robots for Emergency Response Purposes

Law enforcement agencies can use robots for a number of purposes. Along with the management of explosive devices, robots can be used for reconnaissance, hostage negotiations, and other potentially dangerous missions. Minnesota-based manufacturer ReconRobotics has developed a sturdy device called the Throwbot that can be launched by hand into an area to survey a situation before officers move in.

The barbell-shaped Throwbot weighs 1.2 pounds. What appears to be the “weight” portion of the device is actually its wheels and motor. The bar that connects the wheels houses a camera, batteries, and antenna. Throwbot also uses a stabilizer bar to keep it heading in the right direction and help the antenna stay in place. Robots like Throwbot and the devices that iRobot has developed will continue to evolve and help keep law enforcement, military professionals, and other emergency response personnel out of harm’s way.

Aside from household tasks like vacuuming the floor, the capabilities of robots are only as endless as the imagination and capabilities of those who program them. As public safety and emergency-based technology advances, the opportunities to protect emergency responders and law enforcement professionals grow. The future may see robotic fire fighters and real-life Inspector Gadgets, meaning that less human lives are put at risk.

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