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April 24, 2006
Startup Brings Robocops To Market
Berlin-based Robowatch is marketing a security robot that looks a bit like a rolling Thermos with a cherry on top, but its simple look belies the extra support that it can provide human security guards.
The indoor model (pictured right), the first that the firm brought to market, comes equipped with heat sensors, handy for detecting warm bodies when the lights go out, plus 23 other sensors (smoke, gas, movement, etc), wireless communications, video camera, optical scanner, alarms, and loudspeaker - it can demand to "see" identification in a couple of dozen languages.
The startup just won a deal with Diehl, to make a more robust model for reconaissance and situations where humans might not want to go, such as a suspected bomb location. Robowatch also is developing a desktop version for super paranoid consumers.
All its robots are designed to be mass-produced. They are modular too, so that means customers can modify based on their requirements.
Is that a robot you're carrying, or your hand-luggage?
The indoor robot costs between €500 and €1500 a month to rent, weighs 25 kg, is 116cm high (almost 4 ft). Robowatch also sells some software for communicating and managing the sensor-equipped robots.
Founded in 2000, Robowatch is based in Berlin and is backed by High Tech Private Equity (last round was in July 2003). The founders are Ulf Stremmel, an engineer with sales and marketing experience in the security sector, and Jens Hanke who heads up R&D. He's a mathematician and bio-informatics specialist. The company employs 25.
We think the firm will win sales based on the novelty factor initially, the big question is will the roster of value added reseller partners, and the Diehl deal, result in the high volume sales the firm's founders are aiming for.
Read - Robowatch and Diehl Launch (press release)
Posted on April 24, 2006 07:09 AM | Posted to Hardware | Permalink
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