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Custos makes a speciality of growing techniques utilizing the cellular robotic platform from its father or mother firm, Capra Robotics. | Supply: Custos Robotics
Capra Robotics this week introduced the formation of its new subsidiary, Custos Robotics ApS. The corporate mentioned it established Custos to discover new enterprise ventures inside the safety and protection industries.
Custos will focus on non-offensive purposes based mostly on Capra Robotics’ cellular robots. Particularly, it should work towards safer and sooner localization for autonomous cellular robots (AMRs) to take away mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Safety and protection want innovation, mentioned Capra, which claimed that its cellular robotic platform is a powerful place to begin. Mads Bendt, founder and chief innovation officer of Capra, will lead the brand new firm.
Capra Robotics’ technique is to ship modern techniques for inspection, logistics, and upkeep. It will stay the corporate’s focus, with its full sources and a focus being devoted to its prospects and companions in these fields.
“Custos Robotics is a pure extension of Capra Robotics’ long-term technique to ascertain subsidiaries to develop and market industry-specific options for his or her respective markets,” Niels Jul Jacobsen, the CEO of Capra Robotics, informed The Robotic Report.
“As one other instance, City Upkeep will sooner or later in time be spun out to be facilitated by one other subsidiary,” he added. “We plan to take action as a result of the operations and enterprise mannequin of this vertical will differ considerably from Capra Robotics’. The chance to ascertain a subsidiary for safety and protection introduced itself prior to anticipated, however when the longer term catches up with you, you must act.”
The firm noticed elevated curiosity in dual-use purposes for its robots, so it determined to spin off Custos to deal with this demand.
“Over the previous couple of years, we now have participated in analysis initiatives which have aided in mapping the necessity for non-offensive purposes utilizing AMRs,” mentioned Jacobsen. “By establishing Custos Robotics now, we will use the data gained to develop these purposes in response to the elevated demand, whereas sustaining Capra Robotics’ focus and dedication to our established verticals.”
Custos Robotics spells out mission
Custos mentioned the Capra Robotics AMR gives agility, endurance, and ease of deployment for protection purposes. The corporate has built-in a number of sensors for sensor fusion and knowledge acquisition. Custos mentioned that its expertise will autonomously find and register UXOs and that it’s going to present:
- Improvement of autonomous robots
- Integration of Capra’s cellular platform into present safety and protection techniques
- Coaching and help
- Upkeep and updates
“Custos Robotics will make the most of the state-of-the-art cellular robots from Capra Robotics,” mentioned Jacobsen. “These robots are designed to maneuver in tough and uneven terrain autonomously, which is essential in mine and UXO-affected areas.”
“The 2 present robotic platforms provide totally different strengths,” he defined. “The Capra200 platform has the longest vary, whereas the stronger Capra500 can be utilized for heavier masses, bigger sensor packages, and maneuvering in more difficult environments.”
The robots embody sensors corresponding to a magnetometer to find artillery grenades. As soon as detected, Custos’ robots will mark the situation for secure disposal by human groups, Jacobsen mentioned.
“An important aspect is confirming what areas will be deemed secure by way of a reputable and well-documented evidence-based course of,” he famous. “The purpose is to create a system that not solely enhances security, but additionally considerably accelerates the land-release course of.”
Capra Robotics mentioned its AMRs mix distinctive steering, a versatile chassis, and the engine energy to carry out in difficult environments. The corporate designed its robots to serve a number of purposes, from inspection and supplies dealing with to UXO detection.
“One of many main challenges can be navigating the regulatory panorama and making certain that each one our options meet stringent security and compliance requirements,” Jacobsen acknowledged. “Moreover, the sector calls for excessive ranges of precision and reliability, which requires steady innovation and intensive testing.”
“Then again, the alternatives are substantial,” he added. “We see important potential for our applied sciences to boost security, cut back human threat, and enhance operational effectivity in difficult environments.”
Capra Robotics was a 2024 RBR50 innovation award winner for its Capra Hircus, an AMR designed to navigate difficult terrain with ease, because of its patented kinematic mannequin and four-wheel chassis. This robotic can carry numerous sorts of masses whereas shifting throughout tough and uneven surfaces.
Capra Robotics spinoff to get to work
Jacobsen mentioned he is aware of the place Custos Robotics’ techniques are most urgently wanted.
“It’s estimated that there are at present 7.5 million unexploded artillery grenades on Ukrainian soil,” he mentioned. “The extent of the present mine contamination is unknown, however it’s the most on this planet. That is inside an space of 174.000 sq. km [67,181.7 sq. mi.].”
“Custos Robotics is at present growing a sequence of instruments for Capra Robotics’ cellular robotic platforms which can be designed particularly for hazardous environments,” based on Jaccobsen. “The primary purpose is to launch land for agriculture and development use by localizing and marking the positions of particular person UXOs, that are primarily unexploded artillery grenades.”
“A second purpose is to look into performing land minesweeping with a unique sensor package deal, for a similar robotic,” he mentioned.
“These initiatives not solely have the potential to avoid wasting lives, but additionally to rehabilitate manufacturing and growth in war-torn areas,” Jacobsen mentioned. “Moreover, it should rework how we method de-mining and land-release efforts globally.”
