A new generation of Throwbots

ReconRobotics, Inc has announced that it will introduce an advanced military robot with state-of-the-art reconnaissance capabilities, the Throwbot® XT.

In 2007, ReconRobotics introduced the Recon Scout® robot and created an entirely new class of robots called tactical micro-robots.

Throwbot XT, the upgraded micro-robot is throwable and provides both audio and video reconnaissance of dangerous environments.

Military fire teams and SWAT personnel will use the new micro-robot to quickly gain situational awareness during high-risk operations and surveillance missions.

The Throwbot XT is inherently water and dust resistant, weighs just 1.2lbs (540g), and can be thrown up to 120 feet (36m).

It is equipped with an infrared optical system that activates automatically when the ambient light is low, enabling the operator to see in complete darkness.

Once deployed, the micro-robot can be directed by the operator to quietly move through a structure and transmit video and audio to the handheld Operator Control Unit II (OCU II).

These stealth capabilities can be utilised to locate armed subjects, confirm the presence of hostages or innocent civilians, listen in on conversations, and reveal the layout of rooms.

The robot may be specified in any of three predetermined transmitting frequencies, enabling operators to use up to three robots in the same environment at the same time.

“Our objective with this product evolution was to dramatically increase the capabilities of our micro-robot without increasing its weight, and we accomplished that,” said Jean-Luc Panetta, Vice President of Product Management and Engineering.