Following in the footsteps of science fiction, humanity has begun to rely on robots to solve problems. Not too long ago some companies were sure that robot dogs were the future of home deliveries; however, since then things have changed a bit. America's latest addition to its border security force is here; and yes, it's about robot dogs.
The United States Department of Homeland Security has released new details about the tests they have been carrying out on the border with Mexico. From The Verge, they comment on the details that the DSN has shared about its patrol tests using robot dogs.
The machines, as they describe, were tested in all kinds of ways during the patrol; And while no information has yet been shared about the use of robot dogs as the technology of choice for border surveillance; they do assure that the tests have yielded “successful” results.
Meet the curious robot dogs of the United States
Ghost Robotics The robots, for their part, are owned by the company Ghost Robotics, a rival company of the famous Boston Dynamics. In fact, the robot used for border patrol is quite similar to Spot; the yellow robotic dog that starred in some viral videos in previous years. However, the one from Ghost Robotics arrives under the name of Ghost Vision 60; and it measures 76 cm high, weighs 32 kg and is capable of traveling 12 kilometers in three hours with a single battery charge.
In addition, the Ghost Vision 60 can navigate autonomously or under manual control; and can be equipped with extra accessories, such as thermal vision cameras, night vision and more.
During the test, several different scenarios were simulated for the Ghost Vision 60. Although the test was based on a surveillance service using predefined GPS points, and loading cameras and sensors; the response of the robot dogs to different variables was tested. These last ones were differentiated between an inspection of the train cars in the shipyards, walking around and under the cars; exploration of residential buildings, and even one that simulated the confrontation with potentially hostile individuals.
The southern border can be an inhospitable place for man and beast, and that's precisely why a machine can excel there… This S&T-led initiative focuses on Automated Ground Surveillance Vehicles, or what we call “AGSVs.” Basically, the AGSV program is about…robot dogs.
Brenda Long, director of the DHS research and development program However, it seems that at the moment these robots have some limitations. These can range from erratic behavior, limited battery life, erratic controls, and even reports that machines sometimes crash “for no apparent reason”.
For its part, the Department of Homeland Security ensures that these robots will not carry weapons on them, but it does not mean that they cannot. In fact, at the end of last year the SWORD Defense company developed a rifle that can be attached to the top of the Ghost Robotics robot dogs, and the example used to demonstrate it was a Ghost Vision 60 ; exactly the same model used to guard the border.
