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January 26, 2011
ReconRobotics Introduces Recon Scout XT Reconnaissance Robot
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Device Will Enable Military and Police Reconnaissance of Rugged Environments
Edina, Minn. – ReconRobotics, Inc. has 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 1.2 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 1.2 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
ReconRobotics, Inc. is the world leader in tactical, micro-robot systems – those in which the robot weighs less than three pounds and the weight of the total system including the operator control unit is less than five pounds. The company’s mobile Recon Scout Throwbot devices protect military and police personnel in high-risk environments, minimize collateral damage, and provide immediate video reconnaissance when it is needed most. The company was formed in 2006 to commercialize robotics technology developed at the University of Minnesota Distributed Robotics Laboratory under funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Science Foundation, among others. Today, ReconRobotics is based in Edina, Minnesota, and markets its products through a distribution network in more than 30 countries.
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