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China Exclusive: Anti-terror robots debut in Beijing

Xinhua, November 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Three robots specializing in reconnaissance, small explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and armed attack have debuted at the just-concluded 2015 World Robot Conference in Beijing amid escalating global terror threats.

The toy-sized robots can coordinate with each other on the battlefield.

The scout, or reconnaissance robot, is responsible for field detection through camera or sensor, according to Wu Yanpeng, an engineer at HIT Robot Group in northeast China's Harbin city, developer of the robots.

When the scout detects or senses something suspicious such as poisonous gas, dangerous chemicals and explosives, the information is transmitted back to headquarters for further analysis, said Wu.

Based on the analysis of the type of explosives and need for evacuation, the small EOD robot and the armed attack robot will start their missions.

The small EOD robot is tasked with moving and defusing the bomb. If the complexity is beyond the robot's capabilities, then bomb experts in the office have to come up with a proper solution, said Wu.

The small EOD robot, which weighs about 12 kg, is specially designed for soldiers working alone. Made of aluminum alloy and industrial plastic, the robot can be carried on the back of a single soldier.

The armed attack robot, or the attacker, is designed to carry minor-caliber weapons, recoilless rifles and grenade launchers. With a sighting telescope, a trigger and a safe installed, the attacker can hit its target from a long distance.

The set of three robots is priced at 1.5 million yuan (about 230, 000 U.S. dollars), according to Chen Deqiang, sales manager of HIT Robot Group. Wu said the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau is among the buyers who have shelled out for the robots.

Apart from anti-terror operations, they can also be applied in fire fighting, public security, forestry and agriculture, said Chen.

Guo Shengkun, head of the national anti-terrorism leading group and China's police chief, urged heightened alert and prevention of terrorism at a televised meeting following the deadly Paris attacks.

Guo asked officials to maintain their awareness and warned them not to take chances when it comes to protecting people's safety and property. Endi