FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bob Flint Office: (847) 301-4106
Worth, IL - Robotic FX, Inc. has unveiled its Negotiator Tactical Surveillance Robot - the first competitively priced robotic system designed to help first-responders make informed decisions from a safe distance.
The Negotiator Robot was designed as a tool to be utilized by first-response personnel in dangerous situations such as hazardous material spills, hostage barricade situations, etc. The robot employs a variety of camera systems (pan/tilt, night vision, etc.), which provide real time video to first responders, a two-way audio communication system which allows for discrete communication, and a series of sensors, which can detect most hazardous materials and then transmit the information back to the operator control unit. The Negotiator also is capable of traversing rough terrain (e.g. a flight of stairs, tall grass, etc.) to ensure that first responders obtain the information they require from even the most remote location.
The base Negotiator Robot system comes standard with full-motion color video, 2-way digital audio communication and a ruggedized Operator Control Unit. The Negotiator's modular design allows for the addition of a wide range of payloads and accessories, which can easily transform the Negotiator into a mission-specific tool. The "plug & play" nature of the Negotiator Robot’s design maintains cost effectiveness in that each component can be purchased as required or as funding becomes available.
“The [Negotiator] robot has become a vital component of our tactical team," noted Commander Bob Lewis, Collier County Sheriff's Office, Special Operations Group. "In our last hostage barricade situation, use of this robot saved us countless hours and literally thousands of taxpayer dollars by helping us diffuse a highly dangerous situation quickly and safely”.
Robotic FX, Inc. designs and manufactures a low cost robotic solution to remote decision making in an effort to help save lives. For more information, please visit our website at www.roboticfx.com or contact Bob Flint at (847) 301-4106. ###
Military Army National Guard, Civil Support Team Federal Government Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Police Departments County Sheriff
Prior to development, Robotic FX obtained valuable feedback from experienced local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Our extensive market research clearly identified the needs of SWAT personnel and indicated that robots available at that time were not meeting expectations. For example, EOD robots were expensive, large, difficult to operate by untrained personnel, and were geared toward agencies that could afford the high cost of equipment, as well as paying for a dedicated staff of technicians.
On the other side of the spectrum were low-end, radio-controlled (RC) vehicles made from off-the-shelf, hobby shop components. While these components are excellent for use in vehicles such as toy cars and model airplanes, they lack the durability and upgradeability required for use in law enforcement applications. Also, the use of hobby shop controllers made it extremely easy to interrupt, and even take control of, all robot functions. Initial purchase price was low, however the cost of maintenance and inconvenience resulting from reliability issues, negated the initial savings. All of these aspects combined resulted in a product with an extremely short lifespan in terms of actual usefulness. RC vehicles were purchased by agencies with little to no performance expectations.
Development of Robotic FX’s Negotiator Tactical Surveillance Robot was the direct result of our market research. Our analysis identified several key aspects regarding customer requirements, which we included in the design to produce maximum versatility, functionality and unparalleled performance:
Internal color drive camera with hi-resolution imagery Optional internal low-light Infrared camera for dark environments Extreme mobility for traversing rough terrain such as stairs, debris, etc. “Plug & Play” payloads and accessories for long-term upgradeability Optional Disrupter, Taser, OC Sprayer, Throw Phone and Outdoor Audio 2-way digitally encrypted audio with live microphone and “push-to-talk” capabilities Heads-Up Display (HUD) for independent viewing by team members and/or command staff Optional external cameras (e.g. Pan/Tilt, fixed Rear Mounted Day/Night, etc.) Wireless or tethered (optional) Robot/OCU communication Telemetry – send and receive critical data to and from the OCU (i.e., robot battery status) Remote air monitoring with Radiation and Chemical detection (optional) Compact, light weight, durable platform with long battery life and extended operating range Security key switch to turn robot on/off (other robots have simple switches or buttons) Ready for immediate deployment (can be deployed in under 30 seconds) Minimal training required to operate the robot (instructional video)
The Negotiator Tactical Surveillance Robot offers all of the advantages listed above and much more. Unlike the competition, The Negotiator can be purchased in a variety of configurations ranging from very broad, general use to mission specific. Also, should the need for any additional accessories arise, they can be added to the original platform without modification.
As a testament to Robotic FX’s success, the Negotiator Robot is currently being used by many high profile agencies such as Chicago PD, Illinois State Police, FBI, and ILEAS (Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System which is a mutual aid organization providing WMD protection throughout Illinois). Agencies in Minnesota, Michigan, Georgia, and Florida are also benefiting from the use of the Negotiator Robot.
In short, the Negotiator Tactical Surveillance Robot is the right choice for law enforcement agencies looking for a cost effective and robust robotic system.
Entering into potentially dangerous situations without vital information places first-responders, as well as those they are trying to save, at a great risk. Robotic FX, Inc. designs and manufactures a low cost, highly versatile robotic system available for immediate use in emergency situations. Our goal is to help first responders make informed decisions from a safe distance in an effort to save lives.
The world’s first affordable, tactical robotic system designed to lead first-response teams. The Negotiator can be equipped with up to 2 internal cameras as well as multiple external cameras providing full-motion video, which is transmitted from the robot to the hand-held Operator Control Unit (OCU). The robot’s two-way digital audio system provides the operator with the ability to communicate from a secure location. The OCU’s simple joystick operation gives the operator complete control over vehicle movement. In addition, bi-directional data communication allows the operator to view remote sensor information. All of these features, coupled with a wide range of payloads and accessories, convert this versatile vehicle into a mission specific tool.
Negotiator Tactical Surveillance Robot, Robot battery and charger, Operator Control Unit, OCU battery and charger, High-resolution color video camera, Two-way digital audio communication
Base system under $10,000, Durable, light-weight, compact design, Reliable, and always ready for, immediate deployment, Simple operation requires no special training, Climbs stairs with ease - *requires mobility upgrade, Modular architecture, promotes easy customization, High quality, rugged design, No “Hobby Shop” components!, Wide range of available accessories, Easily fi ts in the trunk of any vehicle, Tested and proven in the field by Local, State, and Federal Agencies
The robot’s architecture allows for fast and easy connection of a wide range of accessories. The OCU’s on screen display and menu buttons allow for easy access and control of these devices. All accessories can be easily installed or removed in the field for rapid deployment.
Accessories Include: Mobility Upgrade, Disrupter, Blood, Blister, and Nerve Agent Detection, Night Vision Camera System, Pepper Spray Dispenser, Toxic Industrial Chemical - Gas Monitor, Pan & tilt Color Camera System, Mobile Throw Phone, Portable In-Vehicle Control System, Heads Up Display (HUD), Radiation Detection, Rear Mounted Day-Night Camera System, Contact your salesperson for the full product catalog!
The extreme versatility of the Negotiator Tactical Surveillance Robot allows it to be quickly and easily adapted to a variety of applications. Below are a few specific examples of how the Negotiator robot played a vital role in resolving the situation.
“A bed time story.” At 1:10 AM, a call comes in regarding a suicidal subject. Upon arrival, the SWAT team deploys snipers and a perimeter team. It was determined by the command post that the subject was depressed, intoxicated, and armed with a handgun. Hostage negotiators attempted to make telephone contact with the subject for about an hour and a half. The negotiators were unable to make contact with the subject using conventional methods. The command post makes the decision to send in the Negotiator Robot. The robot is removed from its Travel Charger Case and is deployed within minutes. The entry team sends the robot in through the front door. Using the Internal Infrared Camera System, the robot moves through the living room and kitchen, then up the stairs and into a second floor bedroom where the subject is laying on a bed. The subject appears to be unconscious. The robot operator raises the front end of the robot, using the Mobility Upgrade, to get a better view of the subject. Meanwhile, the team leader is wearing a Heads-Up Display unit (HUD-RX), allowing him to see what the robot and operator are seeing. The entry team moves in and secures the subject. The robot played an instrumental role in the operation and saved the team from wasting countless hours, waiting at the perimeter. The Internal Infrared Camera system proved to be beneficial given the extremely dark conditions of the house. The robot was also armed with the OC Sprayer attachment in the event that the subject became confrontational. In addition to being able to see with the robot, the snipers advised that their visibility was greatly improved due to the infrared light emitted from the robot. Once again, the Negotiator Robot exceeded expectations.
“Diffusing a potentially explosive situation.” A call came in regarding an unattended U-haul truck parked on the north curb outside of ticketing at the airport. One of our canine units had given a positive response to a vehicle during a routine sweep of the grounds. Our bomb squad was called in to further investigate the situation. While waiting for the EOD robot to arrive, our bomb squad quickly deployed the Negotiator robot to begin assessing the situation. With the Adjustable Rear Mounted Camera installed and pointed upward, the Negotiator was able successfully sweep the under carriage of the vehicle within seconds. The EOD robot arrived shortly after and was able to raise the rear door, giving us a clear view inside the vehicle. No explosive device was found however inside the cab were fireworks and some nitroglycerin pills which triggered the canine unit’s response. This was a call where having the right tools made it easy for the bomb technicians to perform their duties safely and effectively.
“Class Dismissed” A call came in regarding an unidentified chemical spill in a building at a local university. A professor had discovered the spill after several students reported feeling ill. Crews from several agencies were called in to assess the situation. The spill happened at about 10:30 a.m. in the Material Science Laboratory near the university’s Quad. Given the type of research that is normally performed in this facility, officials were hesitant to send in HAZMAT personnel without more information. The decision was made to send in the Negotiator Tactical Surveillance Robot. Equipped with the HAZMAT Sensor Array, the Negotiator was driven in through the front door of the facility. Using the continuously updated sensor information displayed on the operator control unit, the operator was able to locate the source of the contamination. Initial sensor readings indicated the presence of a highly toxic substance. Switching to the Inspector Pan–Tilt Camera, the operator was able to clearly read the damaged chemical container’s label, which verified the HAZMAT Sensor Array’s findings. With the information provided by the Negotiator robot, HAZMAT personnel was able to quickly prepare themselves to safely enter the building. The situation was resolved without a single injury. Disclaimer: Applications of Tactical Robots are dramatizations based on actual events