RB-WATCHER surveillance robot to improve the security of port entities: the use case of Robotnik in the AER Insight 2024 The Insight 2024 of the Spanish Association of Robotics and Automation (AER) is now available for free download. This edition includes interviews, use cases, statistics and more interesting data on the robotics and automation sector. Robotnik, as a leading Spanish company in mobile robotics and a member of the AER association, has shared the use case in which RB-WATCHER is developing surveillance and security missions in the port of Alicante.

Robotnik's RB-WATCHER autonomous mobile robot has already been successfully tested in the port of Alicante to execute surveillance missions and interact with control centres. After the positive results of a first testing phase typical of an industrial implementation, the objective is to consolidate the solution to be able to implement it in the coming months in other ports in Spain.

This use case is part of Cybercop, a project led by the company Actisa and funded by Ports 4.0, whose purpose is to increase the security levels of ports through security and surveillance robotics. To this end, the first phase has opted for Robotnik's RB-WATCHER surveillance robot, implementing the CARCIS navigation system developed by the company ACTISA.

🔴AUTOMATE SURVEILLANCE IN PORT FACILITIES

Port environments are characterised by being extensive, dynamic areas with a high level of activity 24 hours a day. In addition, ports are critical hubs in the global supply chain, handling a constant flow of goods and people. This makes them particularly vulnerable to different threats and risks. Therefore, the need to maintain constant control presents a series of challenges that require efficient protocols and require hybrid surveillance models of collaboration between people and technological systems.

RB-WATCHER emerges in this context as an innovative and capable solution to address surveillance and security challenges, offering significant advantages in terms of efficiency, accuracy and cost-effectiveness. The mobile robot chosen in the first phase for Cybercop is a powerful tool to complement and expand human capabilities, providing new levels of coverage for comprehensive port monitoring.

🔴RB-WATCHER: CAPABILITIES AND FUNCTIONALITIES

RB-WATCHER is the robot launched by Robotnik in 2023, specifically designed to automate surveillance and security tasks in indoor and outdoor environments, such as the case of the port of Alicante.

This autonomous mobile robot precisely executes surveillance tasks ranging from patrolling a predetermined area, locating objects and people (intruders, for example), detecting fires and/or thermal anomalies, or collecting quality data. All this information is processed by the robot and sent in real time to the port control centre for relevant decision-making. Equipped with advanced sensors, cameras, and AI algorithms, it can patrol large areas and detect threats in real-time.

The project's RB-WATCHER includes 4×4 traction to move over any type of terrain, including uneven or abrupt terrain, so common in port environments such as docks, slopes or sandy soils. In addition, it integrates advanced sensors and components, including:

◾360º Lidar for a complete mapping of the environment creating detailed and 3D maps, a comprehensive perception and, therefore, safer navigation, even in adverse environmental conditions of low light or visibility, such as fog or night.
◾Artificial vision and Deep Learning systems that allow the robot to detect, analyse and classify elements or individuals.
◾RTK technology that improves GPS accuracy in robot positioning with only one centimetre margin and minimises positioning errors that could cause collisions.
◾4G connectivity for efficient transmission of data, videos or images, which are communicated in real time to the control centre. The 4G connectivity also facilitates remote control and monitoring of the RB-WATCHER and provides extra communication reliability that allows stable interventions.
◾RGBD cameras on the front and rear of the robot that combine colour and depth data improving the detection and classification of objects or people, providing a 360º three-dimensional view of the environment.

🔴SYNERGIES

It is a success story that shows the effective collaboration between the different key actors on the way to a real and robust incorporation of autonomous mobile robotics in different industrial sectors, improving their activity successfully.

This project has managed to bring together technology manufacturers and developers, public entities and the port industry in a synergistic way. Robotnik, Actisa and Ports 4.0 have contributed their experience and resources so that the surveillance and security of ports in Spain reaches new levels of professionalism.

After an exhaustive market study, Actisa, a company specialising in technological consulting services in the fields of civil works, transport and architecture, has first selected Robotnik's RB-WATCHER for the project because it is an already developed platform, ready to start with the software adaptation phase.

The joint work between Robotnik and Actisa has made it possible to integrate the CARCIS (Car Assisted with Radar and Camera Intelligent Sensors) software into the RB-WATCHER to adapt it to the specific surveillance and control functions required by port environments, improve the autonomous driving system and facilitate its interaction with control centres.

The implementation of RB-WATCHER represents an important step forward in port infrastructure management. Stable and uninterrupted port surveillance allows for early detection of threats or anomalies, emergency prevention, and optimization of port assets and operations.

Robotnik has been developing, manufacturing and marketing robots and autonomous mobile manipulators for 22 years. These robots, conceived as general-purpose machines, are used in various industrial applications, among which the vertical inspection stands out.