Pushing out the frontiers of robotics
Conventional border protection systems depend mainly on ground facilities installed along the entire length of any given frontiers, complemented by human patrols. However, this is very costly. In a bid to radically change how the EU manages its frontiers, the 'Transportable autonomous patrol for land border surveillance' (TALOS) project set out to develop a prototype land-border surveillance system based on unmanned vehicles. The system detects, tracks and helps to apprehend people attempting to cross a border illegally. Funded by the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the project developed a system that is adaptable to the diversity of the EU's frontiers, as well as being transportable and cost effective. During its first year, TALOS identified the system's requirements and defined its general architecture. In the second year, the partners worked intensively on designing unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and an unmanned unit command centre (UUCC). In the third year, the project integrated the various components into functional UGV and UUCC units. A state-of-the-art communications subsystem was also developed. Throughout the process, an end user advisory board provided input from the stakeholders who will actually deploy the technology. The final result of TALOS should be demonstration prototypes of two UGCs and a UUCC, to be put through their paces during a simulation. TALOS will make the surveillance of Europe's enormous external borders easier and cheaper. In addition, it will help pave the way for the development and integration of advanced robotics in other areas of industry.