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The Fido sensor detects explosives' vapors emanating from
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). These sensors were tested
in Iraq in 2006 and will soon be deployed on some 100 new PackBot
500 unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) robots ordered by the
US Navy, managing the servcies' robotics programs.
The PackBot is equipped with a highly dexterous, 7-foot arm
carrying the Fido sensor head and a communications interface
sending explosive detection results to the Packbot Operator
Control Unit (OCU). This integration model allows the Fido detector
to be removed and utilized for general handheld operations in
addition to the remote applications made possible by the Packbot.
The manipulator arm allows the robot to place the explosive
sensor close to suspicious packages and other objects, reach
through car windows and under vehicles. When an explosive is
detected, PackBot can use its on-board capabilities to destroy
IEDs, while warfighters remain out of harm's way.
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| "The sensitivity
of the Fido explosives 'sniffer' is comparable to that of highly
trained bomb dogs, and integrating this advanced detection capability
with the versatile iRobot PackBot robots will help keep soldiers
out of harm's way," said Colin Cumming, chief technology
officer of ICx Technologies.
Inspired by the ability of bomb sniffing dogs to detect explosives,
the ICx Fido Explosives Detector has the advantage of being
both ultra-sensitive and capable of quickly screening packages,
facilities, people and vehicles for traces of explosives. The
breakthrough sensing technology behind the Fido detector supports
both particle and vapor detection and allows operators the versatility
and portability necessary for diverse detection and screening
scenarios.
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