In Brief

RoboGuard

Sohgo Security Services, a Japanese security firm, uses robot security guards in place of hard-to-find humans

By Margaret Locher

September 01, 2005 — CSO —

Vital stats Guardrobo D1 is a 198-pound robot that guards against intruders, fires and water leaks. It is approximately 3 feet 6 inches tall.

Uses Shopping malls, banks and office buildings.

Technology With cameras and sensors, the Guardrobo D1 patrols a preprogrammed route in the building where it operates. It can send camera footage or contact people by radio if there is a fire or a break-in. It is equipped with a fire extinguisher and can also shoot paint bullets at strangers.

rationale Because of Japan's low birth rate, and since one in five citizens is age 65 or over, it will become harder to find capable security guards as the years go by.

price Still undisclosed, but another Japanese company's security robot is priced at $18,000. And Seri, a three-wheeled robot developed for home use by MostiTech in South Korea, is priced at $850.

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