MAYOR HAHN TO ANNOUNCE NEWEST ADDITION TO LAPD'S COUNTER-TERRORISM BUREAU AT LOS ANGELES AIRPORT

HAZARDOUS-DUTY MOBILE ROBOT FACT SHEET

(Los Angeles, California -- May 5, 2003) In an effort to continue making Los Angeles the safest city in America, Mayor Jim Hahn announced his latest plan to purchase a new bomb squad robot that will be stationed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

This hazardous-duty mobile robot will become the newest member of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Bomb Squad assigned specifically to LAX. The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners approved the purchase of the $160,000 unit on March 18. The customized robot is expected to be delivered by Fall 2003.

"This state-of-the-art equipment will be the latest addition to the LAPD's Counter-Terrorism Bureau and is expected to reduce delays in responding to and resolving incidents at the airport," said Mayor Hahn. "This is an incremental step in protecting the traveling public and possibly saving the lives of our bomb squad officers in case an incident occurs."

The new mobile robot has a high-speed capability of up to 3.5 miles per hour, which enables operators to handle missions more efficiently. At 17.5 inches wide, the robot is narrow enough to be used in confined spaces such as aboard aircraft. The unit is 44 inches high and 52 inches long, and weighs 350 pounds.

"The mobile robot can be used to transport suspicious luggage, briefcases or other items from a passenger terminal, baggage cart or vehicle to a bomb disposal unit," Mayor Hahn added. "The robot can also be used in situations involving hazardous materials or biological or chemical weapons."

FEATURES:

• The unit will be customized for the airport's needs and will be controlled by fiber-optic or wireless signals.
• The robot has a two-way audio system to enable the operator to hear for sounds inside a suspicious item or speak to injured people.
• It will be outfitted with a motorized surveillance camera with night-vision capability and head-mounted video display, as well as with additional equipment for law enforcement purposes.
• The robot's track design allows it to operate on wet or dry surfaces and to cross obstacles and navigate through rough terrain, as well as climb stairs or cross ditches.
• The robot can pull injured or non-ambulatory patients in a dangerous or hazardous environment, in which emergency responders cannot safely enter, to areas where the patients can be evacuated, treated, and/or dispatched to a medical facility.

This mobile robot was originally developed as a robotic bomb detection device for military applications, and has been adapted for municipal police response purposes.