WinterGreen Research announces that it has a new study on first responder, law enforcement, and homeland security ground robots. The 2010 study has 460 pages, 165 tables and figures.
Worldwide markets are poised to achieve significant growth as the first responder and homeland security ground robots are used globally. Growth comes as the border patrols and law enforcement agencies use robots to achieve broader security in a less expensive manner, delivering the promise of automated process in yet another industry. First responder robots bring changes in every region while the globally integrated enterprise replaces nationalistic dominance, creating broader cooperative police actions that replace nationalistic wars. These police actions are aimed against the bad guys.
This cost is creating resistance among the agencies to spend such a large amount for what is seen as a device that gives little return in comparison to what a person can do all year. Costs of robots are expected to decrease rapidly in the next year, creating a much larger market than exists now. The current market at $203 million does provide a significant base for solid growth.
Vendors of homeland security and first responder robots have positioned to provide a common framework through which federal, state, local, and tribal governments can address emergencies. US federal first responder agencies are negotiating agreements with state and local government law enforcement groups to share equipment. First responder robots cost $50,000 and up, the cost of a person for one year.
Whereas a person can patrol and investigate, a first responder robot able to sniff for explosives is not justified in high quantity. .a few shared units go a long way in detecting explosives.
The challenge for vendors is to find applications where the robot is used 24x7 365 days per year. Then there is payback. An exception is an airport and a border patrol crossing point where there is continuous need to sniff for explosives.
First responder and homeland security robots are useful as patrol units. Just as foot police and patrol cars look for dangerous situations, so also a first responder robot can patrol an area with cameras and chemical sensors.
First responder and homeland security robot automation of the defense process is the next wave of first responder and homeland security evolution. As automated systems and networking complement the Internet , communication is facilitated on a global basis. The first responder and homeland security charter is shifting to providing protection against terrorists and people seek to maintain a safe, mobile, independent lifestyle. Much of the first responder and homeland security mission is moving to adopt a police force training mission, seeking to achieve protection of civilian populations on a worldwide basis.