In Japan, hire a private drone on rent to help fight crime

TOKYO: A Japanese security firm is planning to rent out private drones that will take off when intruder alarms are tripped and record live footage of break-ins.

Secom Co unveiled a helicopter like drone prototype it said can detect and videotape suspicious vehicles and people breaking into the premises of a shop, warehouse, factory or other properties, Kyodo News agency said.

"The flying robot could take off if our online security systems detect any unauthorized entry," Asuka Saito, a spokeswoman for Secom, said. "It would enable us to quickly check out what's actually happening on the spot," she said.

The machine, equipped with four propellers, is 60 centimetre long and wide and weighs around 1.6kg.

It takes off once it receives an alert from groundbased laser sensors to approach the target and transmit video data to its control center.

The company said it aims to start renting the machine for less than $58 a month in 2014 and it is interested in selling the service in other countries as well. "To reduce crime, we wanted to develop a flying robot that can approach a culprit and his or her vehicles as closely as possible ," said Secom chief Shuji Maeda.

Source: http://timesofindia.feedsportal.com/fy/8at2Eus0iM4Un3o9/story01.htm

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