Strategic Elements expects Autonomous Robotic Security Vehicle testing will begin this month

By Deputy Chief EditorMay 4, 2020

144 2 minutes read

Strategic Elements Ltd (ASX:SOR) expects testing will begin this month of an Autonomous Robotic Security Vehicle developed by 100%-owned Stealth Technologies in collaboration with US$100 billion company Honeywell International Inc (NYSE:HON) (LON:HON).

Assembly of the Autonomous Robotic Security Vehicle, which is the first product to be developed from Stealths autonomous robotics technology platform, has largely been completed.

The testing will be carried out at a highly secured facility in Perth.

“Large potential market”[hhmc]

Strategic Elements managing director Charles Murphy said “We are extremely pleased that the collaborative Autonomous Security Vehicle work with Honeywell is moving to the testing phase as it is the first product developed from our technology platform.

“We do see critical infrastructure as a large potential market right here in Australia and our agreement with Honeywell enables us to market a security product directly to sectors such as energy, mining and communications.

"Our focus, however, in the short term is squarely on the successful delivery of the Autonomous Security Vehicle to Honeywell.”

Shares higher[hhmc]

Shares on Friday were as much as 24% higher to 6.2 cents intra-day, up from 3.3 cents at close on March 24.

A major point of difference with the underlying Stealth technology platform is that it has been designed from the ground up to be used in outdoor environments, which makes it particularly well suited to sectors such as security, agriculture and mining.

The Stealth technology has been developed to meet the extra requirements of an autonomous robotic vehicle operating under external conditions such as:

Uneven ground conditions;
High temperatures;
Dust, rain and moisture;
Isolated networks with no connectivity;
Longer run times; and
Faster charging requirements.

Additional development benefits[hhmc]

Additional development has been required to ensure components such as sensors, robotic actuators, batteries and computers housed and mounted to the vehicle are shock absorbed and designed to withstand harsh and variable conditions.

Also, further development enables the Stealth operating system to localise and navigate the vehicle autonomously in external terrains that have a limited amount of distinct features.

For comparison, internal and urban environments have distinctive man-made features which enable easier localisation and navigation.

Murphy said: “We also continue to develop the underlying autonomous robotics technology platform and the approximately $500,000 in recent government funding to the joint UWA/Stealth project will pay for a team of four UWA researchers to assist in increasing the pace of these developments.

“Again, as with the Honeywell agreement, we hold the right to the IP developed.”