Hi-tech Hero deployed to control UK borders
Hero, a semi-autonomous ground vehicle developed by BAE Systems, has been on an extensive trial with the UK Border Agency as it ramps up operations to keep illegal immigrants out of the country.
Hero, a semi-autonomous ground vehicle developed by BAE Systems, has been on an extensive trial with the UK Border Agency as it ramps up operations to keep illegal immigrants out of the country.
The trials were designed to develop tactics and techniques for potential use by the UK Border Agency to reduce the manpower-intensive tasks of searching the undersides of vehicles.
Born out of a concept to help protect British troops on foot patrol in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hero is roughly the size of a briefcase with a wheel at each corner. Equipped with lights and cameras, the vehicle has successfully been checking beneath lorries, coaches and trailers arriving at Calais Europes busiest port en-route to the UK.
Immediately prior to the trials, BAE Systems worked alongside the UK Border Agency to better understand how Hero could help deal with this major issue.
The company incorporated a number of modifications to the vehicle to suit the UK Border Agencys operations. Hero was then put through its paces searching for illegal immigrants alongside officers working in the examination area and creeping beneath the lines of trucks which were waiting to board ferries.
Up to 10,000 heavy goods vehicles a week pass through Calais on routes which attract many immigrants heading illegally for the UK.
Some people will use any means to get past immigration checks, and catching them can be extremely hazardous, said Richard Williams, civil autonomous systems director at BAE Systems.
Its a backbreaking, dirty and often dangerous job to look under every truck, and with 10,000 of these vehicles each week boarding ferries, it is physically impossible for UK Border Agency staff to personally check them all.
Searching for illegal immigrants is a significant element of border control work.
The UK Border Agency has been looking at new ways of working including technologies which can be used to fight illegal activity as part of its border control work.
The trials have now proved the capabilities and potential of autonomous and semi-autonomous technologies which can free-up personnel.