Personal Robotics for Public Safety Responders

Over the past 35 years public safety, particularly law enforcement, has experienced more than its share of transformative technologies. In information technologies, we’ve automated and integrated virtually every core system has made most data available to field responders on mobile laptops and smart devices. Except for conveying timely information to the field and advances in less-than-lethal defensive measures, most of these technological advances serve the administrative and logistical functions of public safety.

One of the emerging areas of technology that directly supports and enhances the capabilities of the field responder is autonomous robotics.?This category includes unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones, and field-deployable ground-based robots.?Drones in law enforcement have rapidly become a common tool in law enforcement, providing much of the aerial surveillance traditionally provides by law enforcement helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.?Far from replacing the capabilities of manned aircraft, drones now have a valuable role in localized searches, digital mapping, and other specialized functions. Above all, public safety drones serve as elevated surveillance platforms in all levels of tactical operations.

The ground-based component of public safety robotics includes an array of devices from 800-pound track-driving robots, to hand-held throwable mobile and stationary devices.?Originating from explosive ordinance operations and specialized tactical units, the availability of these devices is limited by their cost and the need for highly trained operators.?In recent years, smaller units have been introduced to the market, largely driven by military acquisitions.?These smaller units are typically operated from dedicated controllers and tend to be cost-prohibitive to large domestic deployments.?

About two years ago the founders of Sphero, known for Disney’s Star Wars BB-8 mini-robot, reached out to law enforcement leadership to explore the feasibility of a low-cost, richly featured, personal robot that would be purpose-designed for the role of field law enforcement officers (LEO’s) and firefighters, with additional value for other high hazard occupations. Beyond their entertainment-related endeavors, Sphero has made a significant contribution to Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics education through STEAM-learning packs that support teaching programming and robotics in the classroom. Having delivered over 5 million robots, Sphero was uniquely qualified to create the first personal robots for public safety responders.

Creating a new public safety-focused company, Company Six, the Sphero team began engineering their Readysight? product from the ground up. Driven by the most common use-case public safety scenarios, the Readysight personal robot had to be light-weight and small enough for the LEO or firefighter to carry on a duty belt or carry in a turn-out pocket.?The Readysight robot’s cylindrical design is roughly the size of a narrow 16 ounce can, with two pliable rubber all terrain tires. The Readysight robot is designed to be “throwable” and highly durable in use. Company Six provides a replacement for any unit damaged in actual operations.

Rather than require accessories like a controller, the Readysight personal robot can be controlled by any smart device, including all flavor of cell phones carried by responders.?The control of the device must be accessible by any authorized user, with smart devices in the field or web-enabled workstation in a command center or dispatch. Rather than rely on traditional RF-signal control, the Readysight personal robot had to be based on the secure government cloud, connected by FirstNet prioritized broadband. ?

Use-case scenarios drive the Readysight on-board accessories.?Hazardous building searches and stationery “sentry posts” are supported with compact high resolution 120° low light and infrared cameras viewable by the operator and any number of authorized viewers.?Video files are securely saved to the cloud, viewable by only authorized users and retained according to agency and legislative policies. For sentry duty, the Readysight unit has built-in motion detection and a panning feature on vertical deployment. The operator can select zero-light or white light illumination in all operating modes. For the barricaded suspect or hostage use-case scenario, the Readysight unit provides a built-in microphone and speaker to replace the traditional “throw-phones.”

Although the Readysight personal robot has tactical surveillance applications in special operations like hostage rescue and explosive ordinance, Readysight was purpose-designed to serve as an everyday tool for first responders in law enforcement and fire/ rescue. With any addition to limited “belt space” of uniformed officers or “pocket space” for firefighters, the value and utility must be clear. One of the most fundamental advantages of personal robotics is safety of the responder and as a force multiplier. Whether it a silent alarm with and open door on commercial building, or the odor of natural gas, the robot can greatly reduce the inherent risks.?Rather than position responders on perimeter surveillance, Readysight devices on sentry mode can broadcast video to support personnel, freeing officers and firefighters to address the incident.

The key differentiator of the Readysight robot is its low cost of operations.?Where comparable robots primarily designed for military operations are priced in the $10,000 to $15,000 range with controller and ?all the accessories, the fully-equipped responder version of the Readysight robot is offered to public safety agencies at $149 per month, including the FirstNet and cloud storage fees.??

The reality is that no single public safety solution can provide every conceivable function. Where kinetic entry and or mechanical manipulation is needed, a behemoth 800-pound robot is the right tool, as a helicopter airship may be needed over the capabilities of a drone. The theory of “Frequent and Routine Use” has shown that the tools used by public safety responders are more prone to be serviceable and users more proficient in operation when the apparatus is deployed in everyday use. ?The Readysight personal robot is designed to provide those day-to-day functions and to be a truly disruptive technology that revolutionizes the way responders operate and to greatly enhance the safety of responders and those they serve. ??????

Company Six (CO6)

Company Six is a Boulder, Colorado based manufacturer of purpose-design robotics.?Founded by principals of the robotics leader Sphero, the CO6 team has provided over 5 million robots to consumers, teachers, and students in educational institutions. For more information go to https://www.co6.com.

The Author ?

John D. Abbey is a retired Chief of Police from Silicon Valley and pioneer in public safety technologies.?Leading the teams that brought interactive computing and digital mugshots to police cars, John has been on the forefront of technologies that serve first responders in public safety.?For further information John can be reached at [email protected] or https://www.safeflight.io. ???????????????????????????