The Robocop Is Here!

Have you ever seen one of the "Robocop" movies, or at least heard of this robotic policeman with a human brain and heart inside? Well, if so, you've probably also wondered (I know I did) just how long it would take before an actual robotic cop is developed. And it seems that that moment has finally arrived, because a security company from Japan (where else!), Sohgo Security Services (ALSOK), has developed a model that takes human-robot interaction to a whole new level, namely the Reborg-Q.

Thus, this robotic security agent can be either programmed to automatically patrol a preset course or remote controlled by human operators from a central security station, and features four cameras mounted in the robot's head and shoulders, as well as sensors that detect the presence of humans, water or fire. Whenever one of these sensors activates, the Reborg-Q streams the video feed to the control room and issues an alert, so that the human operators will be able to take the necessary actions in order to solve the potential crisis.

However, that's not all this "bucket o'bolts" can do. Thus, the security robot has also been endowed with communication functions, thus allowing it to really help the people around it. These functions consist of a touch-screen placed on the robot's chest, which can display various data, and of a voice synthesizer that allows the robot to tell the time, offer weather-related data and (more importantly) make promotional announcements.

The Reborg-Q measures 130 cm x 65 cm x 70 cm and weighs around 90 kilos, which makes it a pretty impressive presence in any location. It uses a wireless LAN connection (IEEE 802.11b/g) to communicate to the human controllers, and is already being used in a mall in Japan. What remains to be seen now is just how soon it will be available worldwide, but that moment is probably not too far.

Photo Credit: RobotWatch

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