In 1987, when the movie "Police Robot" was filmed, such iron monsters still seemed like something fantastic. Both the protagonist and his most dangerous enemy, the ED-209 combat robot, were implausible.
But not because such a machine is, in principle, impossible - only the combination of the weapons installed on it is unrealistic. For example, the robot could still remain on its feet after firing rockets mounted on its left "arm" - after all, a shot from a grenade launcher does not knock down a much lighter infantryman. However, it was impossible to fire from three 20-mm automatic cannons - the recoil would quickly knock the shooter to the ground.
Police robots
Today, the idea of creating and using robotic police officers seems quite real. Already thousands of robots are working instead of sappers to clear various objects; in Japan, mechanical friends of the police show pedestrians on the streets and regulate traffic. And in the US, the National Guard's tracked "Gladiator" can, if ordered, shoot enemies with a machine gun.
Robocop, whatever one may say, is good - the government loves, does not drink, does not ask for salaries, does not go on strike, is ready to work on weekends … And if he dies in an unequal fight against crime, it’s not scary - how many of these robots do we have? Therefore, it is not surprising that police robots have begun to appear all over the world.
Disperse in an amicable way
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In our country, a robotic policeman, oddly enough, was spotted in the traffic police in Arkhangelsk back in 1967! The mechanical traffic controller had 79-command radio control and was remotely controlled. It is not known, however, how long he worked at crossroads and what happened to him later, because the only thing left of him now are photographs.
The robot, which in 1967 was planned to replace the traffic police officers on the roads to control the traffic flow. Photo from the magazine "Modelist-Constructor".
Modern Russia may well be called the homeland of police robots, well, at least one of them. Because we already have one - the 250-kilogram robocop developed by the Bauman Moscow State Technical University is now patrolling the streets of Perm.
So far, the robot is armed with five video cameras and loudspeakers. Seeing, for example, young people drinking alcohol, a mechanical policeman can drive up to them and read the text of the law that they are breaking, and then ask them to go home to someone from the company.
As conceived by the developers, a steel vandal-resistant body and bullet-proof glass should protect the robocop from fans of drinking "fire water" in the fresh air. However, it seems that the robot will not be able to fight off such a frail arsenal from a cheerful person …
For Chinese suicides
Police robots have also appeared in China. The first two copies, depicting a man and a woman in police uniforms, now stand on the Nanhu Bridge in Jilin Province in northeastern China. This place was not chosen by chance: about 20 people jump off the bridge annually, believing that their life has not gone well.
It is assumed that the robots will first record a potential suicide using video cameras, and then enter into a conversation with him. Naturally, it will not be the robot itself who will convince the unfortunate person, but a special psychologist sitting at the base and observing the picture from the robocop cameras.
If the idea turns out to be successful, it is expected that mechanical police will be installed in other "suicide" points in China.
Japanese policeman
In 2005, Tmsuk's T-63 Artemis robot was appointed chief of the police station in Fukuoka, Japan for one day. The appointment of the car to a leading position was accompanied by the presentation of the corresponding documents and the police cap to the robot.
However, the Japanese in the Sohgo Security Services Corporation decided not to stop there and created a new robocop Reborg-Q, which has been patrolling the Aqua City shopping center in Tokyo since 2006.
The robot is equipped with a contactless card reader for reading electronic passes or identifying all people who meet with electronic passports. If the iron cop encounters something unusual (a criminal, water leak, fire), he wirelessly transmits a signal to the security console, and the guard decides what to do: whether to use the fire extinguisher mounted in the hand of the Reborg-Q and water from it foam everyone and everything, or run to the rescue …
In addition, the robot, having a contact display on its chest, is able to help visitors to the center to find out the information they are interested in, as well as to give out the exact time or weather forecast with a voice synthesizer.
Another Japanese monopoly in the security equipment market has released its version of the robot policeman - Secom Robot X. The kid - only 80 centimeters tall - can patrol streets, shops or airports on his own (following a programmed program) or using a remote control. To combat intruders, the Robocop has a smoke cannon, a searchlight and a siren.
The robot's speed is 10 kilometers per hour, the battery lasts for 24 kilometers.
Finally, another Japanese corporation, giant in the production of household appliances and computer equipment - Fujitsu - presented its model of a police robot. It can also be used by individuals. It is stated that when strangers are found in the room, the robocop immediately transmits an alarm signal to the owner on the mobile phone, as well as to the police. Two installed video cameras help to detect these same strangers.
Combat vacuum cleaner
In the United States, iRobot, known for its home robots, the Roomba vacuum cleaner and the Scooba scrubber, has decided to launch a combat vehicle on the market this time. The Warrior x700 robot weighing more than 100 kilograms will be able to carry a load twice its own weight. Moreover, almost 70 kilograms - on a movable manipulator.
That is, the car turned out to be multifunctional, which is very useful for the police. Depending on the task, the new robot can operate for 15-16 hours on a single battery charge. The maximum speed of the x700 is 24 kilometers per hour.
In the assault version, the robot can receive a pair of automatic shotguns, a 40-mm grenade launcher, a machine gun, and in the future - Metal Storm installations, capable of firing up to a million rounds per minute.
Well, let's finish our review … with a private robot policeman from the United States.
The history of its appearance is as follows. Former Marine Rufus Terrill invested his honestly earned money into the opening of the bar. The place turned out to be good, in an Irish style, but the problem was that the bar was located in a dysfunctional area.
At first, Rufus threatened the vandal visitors with an automatic rifle, but then the police advised to hide it away. The result was not long in coming - several drunken fights in the pub smashed him almost to the ground.
It was necessary to come up with something simple and yet effective. And Rufus came up with no less than a remote controlled robot! Four car batteries allow the three-wheeled "Bumbot" to drive around the hall and water the hooligans with a cannon. The inventor, however, threatens to put a flamethrower instead of him - apparently, water is bad for hot people.
Here's a personal robocop turned out. By the way, the local police are also sharpening their teeth on which, by the way, it is easier to deal with it than with crime in the area.
Evgeniya ALEXANDROV