The TALOS project. EU wide robotic border guard system

Abstract

This paper describes the TALOS project, which is a new way to use autonomous robotic vehicles to strengthen the security of land borders of the European Union. The existing system, based on a network of fixed Border Guard posts and routine patrols of Border Guard officers becomes obsolete and inadequate to counter present-day threats and in addition is economically inefficient. The TALOS system introduces fully autonomous robotic craft, able to perform routine patrols and react to typical situations without constant human supervision. Such robots operate from a fully mobile base, which can be transported and deployed at any place along the EU land border in a matter of hours. Therefore, the robotic component of a border protection system is expected to be a remedy against its current main disadvantages, which are its static nature and predictability. Moreover, an increase in economic efficiency and personal safety of Border Guard officers is also expected.