SECOM Japan’s First Security Drone, “SECOM DRONE XX” For Patrol And Intrusion Monitoring Using AI

SECOM Co., Ltd. (Headquarters in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President: Ichiro Ozeki) has developed the “SECOM DRONE XX (Double X),” a security drone that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) for patrol and intrusion monitoring, marking the first of its kind in Japan. The release is scheduled for the spring of 2024.

Japanese society is grappling with a severe labor shortage, and efforts to employ robots for labor-saving and efficiency are rapidly advancing. The government is also advocating legislative measures toward an “aerial industrial revolution” with small-scale unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Drones have been adopted and are being utilized in various fields such as inspections, surveying, agriculture, and logistics. The domestic drone business market is projected to grow from 308.6 billion yen in fiscal 2022 to approximately three times that size, reaching 934 billion yen in fiscal 2028*2, indicating further market expansion.

In December 2015, SECOM commercialized the “SECOM Drone” as the world’s first private drone for crime prevention, autonomously tracking intruders on-site and transmitting the footage to SECOM’s control center for a swift and accurate response. They were the first in Japan to realize commercial services with Level 3 flight*3 within the premises of their clients, accumulating operational performance and know-how for almost eight years. The newly developed SECOM DRONE XX enhances these functions, equipping AI-based video analytics to detect people and vehicles, automatically tracking and filming objects deemed suspicious by security personnel. Flight time and speed have been significantly improved, enabling the drone to secure any area within a radius of approximately 6km. Additionally, with enhanced wind resistance and the addition of infrared cameras, surveillance capabilities have been substantially improved even during inclement weather or at night. Since the drone can use LTE communication, the installation of on-premises Wi-Fi communication equipment is not required, making it easier and more cost-effective to introduce the drone.

The newly developed hangar allows for fully automated storage, take-off and landing, battery swapping/recharging, and self-checks of the drone. Particularly, the ability to automatically change batteries enables quick, successive flights. The SECOM DRONE XX offers “patrol monitoring,” flying pre-determined routes for safety confirmation, and “intrusion monitoring,” tracking intruders detected by sensors or surveillance cameras installed on the premises. It can also be used for various purposes beyond security, such as inspecting public facilities, safety confirmations during disasters, and patrolling rivers*4.

Furthermore, the SECOM DRONE XX is based on the contents exhibited in the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency’s new technology short-term demonstration project “Automation and Efficiency of Surveillance and Inspection Using Drones,” and local demonstration tests for defense facility surveillance systems for the Air Self-Defense Force and Maritime Self-Defense Force are underway.

Features of SECOM DRONE XX

The SECOM DRONE XX comes with several advanced features that make it a cutting-edge security drone.

1. Diverse Functions Utilizing Image AI

1. • Patrol Surveillance: The drone can fly along a predetermined route. If intruders are detected during patrol, the operator can designate targets for the drone to automatically track.
   • Intrusion Surveillance (Sensor-linked): Activates when peripheral sensors detect an intrusion on the premises. The drone takes off, approaches the area, detects the intruder through AI, and automatically tracks them while allowing real-time video confirmation.
   • Intrusion Surveillance (Surveillance Camera-linked): Integrates with surveillance cameras. If a monitor at a disaster prevention center spots an intruder with the surveillance camera, the center staff can designate the target, and the drone will rush to the scene and pursue the individual.

2. Significantly Improved Drone Performance

1. • The flight time is approximately double, and the maximum speed is about four times that of the conventional SECOM Drone.
   • The drone can guard an area up to a 6 km radius, about 50 times larger than before.
   • Improved wind resistance, making it usable even during inclement weather.
   • Use of carrier LTE communications eliminates the need for on-premises Wi-Fi infrastructure.

3. Fully Automatic, High-quality Security Operations

1. • The newly developed storage facility conducts all processes, including drone storage, takeoff and landing, automatic battery swapping/charging, and self-checks.
   • Battery swap enables quick redeployment in about 3 minutes.
   • High-definition footage is transmitted in real-time to disaster prevention centers and stored internally within the drone for quick decision-making.

4. SECOM DRONE XX Specifications

1. • Size: (W) 1,223mm x (D) 1,117mm x (H) 503mm (including propeller guards, excluding protrusions)
   • Weight: 9.8kg (including two batteries and monitoring equipment)
   • Flight Time: Up to 20 minutes
   • Speed: Maximum of 36km/h (during autonomous flight)
   • Flight Range: Up to approximately 12km
   • Wind Resistance: Average 10m/s
   • Surveillance Features: Color video surveillance, AI object detection with a visible camera, thermal imaging surveillance, AI object detection with an infrared camera, night illumination with white LEDs, object tracking function
   • Communication Features: Video and data transmission via LTE communication
   • Safety Features: Rotor fault tolerance system, parachute system (optional), propeller guards, anti-collision beacons (optional), waterproof structure

5. Fully Automatic Storage Hangar

• • Designed for the storage, takeoff, and landing of the SECOM DRONE XX.
  • Functions for automatic battery swapping/charging and drone self-checks.
  • Adjusts the drone’s position and stores it after flight.
  • Allows for a battery swap, making re-flight possible in about 3 minutes.

These features collectively make the SECOM DRONE XX a versatile and highly efficient security drone with applications beyond traditional security measures.

SECOM DRONE XX will be used not only for “Security” applications such as “Safety,” “Patrol,” and “Surveillance,” but also for “Photography,” “Checks & Inspections,” and “Disaster Prevention.” SECOM is committed to making transformations (Transformation=X) in a variety of applications (X). The name SECOM DRONE XX expresses this determination.

More information: https://www.secom.co.jp/english/news/2023/nr_20231012.html