Berlin, 28.03.07 -- With the “European Conference on Security Research SRC ’07”, held on 26 and 27 March in Berlin, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is launching the “European Security Research Program”.

Under this, the European Union will make available around ˆ1,4 billion from 2007 to 2013 to promote research and innovation for strengthening internal security. In order to further develop its technologies and undertake research into new solutions for combating terrorism, the Berlin-based enterprise Robowatch Technologies will participate in this conference and in the “European Security Research Program”.

“ The feeling of security in Germany, and in Europe generally, is being increasingly undermined by terrorist attacks, like those in London or Madrid”, said Robowatch’s General Manager, Dr. Jens Hanke. “From our viewpoint, robotics is a key technology to effectively meet today’s challenges of security policy. In this respect, it is necessary that politics, industry and research pull together. So increased backing for security research by the European Union can only be welcomed”, continued Hanke.

The robotics specialists of Robowatch, which has already advanced as a pioneer in homeland security solutions in Germany, provides unique security products that have already proven themselves in numerous missions. For years, this Berlin-based enterprise has been developing autonomous unmanned ground vehicles (AUGVs) that relieve the workload of persons in hazardous situations, issue warnings in good time, and provide a protection function, so enhancing the performance and safety of special assignment forces – criteria that play a major role in this promotion program.

Thus the autonomous platforms OFRO+detect and ASENDRO optimize reconnaissance for assignment teams in disaster control and civil protection, and support these during missions in high-risk zones. In addition to its capabilities in safeguarding property and in person detection, the reconnaissance robot OFRO+detect can detect nuclear and chemical hazards in fractions of a second. With the ASENDRO EOD, bomb defusing operations are possible even in very complex or constricted situations, like in aircraft or buses. Controlled from a safe distance, this defusing robot moves and investigates objects with its gripper arm. Such service robots for reconnaissance, mission support and averting dangers are likewise a highly relevant research topic for this promotion program.

Over that, Robowatch Technologies is among the top five finalists for the prestigious international technology prize of the HANOVER TRADE FAIR, which carries a money award of ˆ100,000. This year, more than 70 companies submitted entries for this international technology prize, ranging from state-of-the-art energy storage technology and microsystems technology, through laser technology and sensor applications, up to robotics and electronic fuel injection. The winner will be announced on 15 April 2007 during the opening ceremony of the HANOVER TRADE FAIR.

Robowatch Technologies
28.03.2007

www.robowatch.de