CRAFTSMANSHIP IN HIGH TECHNOLOGY
see it for yourself.
Extreme
VGTV Waterproof
Roper Resources Ltd., 948 St. Patrick Street, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8S 4X5 Canadian Sales/Fax: (250) 361-9115, USA Sales: (805)798-0277, Email: chris@roperresources.com, Web: www.roperresources.com
Roper Resources Ltd. 984 St. Patrick Street Victoria, BC, Canada V8S 4X5 Date: October 4, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ground Zero to Ground Breaking: The Next Generation Launch of Inuktun’s VGTV Inuktun Services Ltd’s (“Inuktun”) Variable Geometry Tracked Vehicle (VGTV) - a shape-shifting robot with high resolution camera -- was used by search & rescue crews to search for survivors during rescue events of 9/11. The virtually indestructible VGTV has the capacity to change its shape during operation, enabling the vehicle to maneuver in confined spaces, around obstacles and over difficult terrain. The experts at the Center for RoboticAssisted Search and Rescue at the University of South Florida valued the VGTV’s light-weight, shape-shifting ability and high resolution video output during their recovery efforts at Ground Zero, but requested Inuktun make them a waterproof version with larger wheels to traverse even more difficult terrain. In response to this request, Inuktun is proud to launch the next generation of the micro-controlled VGTV. "Inuktun robots were chosen for 87% of the robot deployments on the rubble pile for the ten days following the September 11th tragedy," testifies Mark Micire, formerly a member of the University of South Florida Center for RoboticAssisted Search and Rescue team and one of the VGTV operators at Ground Zero. “I personally have been using the
VGTV vehicle for over five years,” says Micire. “I have watched it grow from its very first versions to the capable and robust platform that exists today.” “We’ve a learned a lot since this robot was used at Ground Zero,” says Inuktun President Colin Dobell, “The VGTV system continues to improve because of the real-world experience and feedback we’ve had from operators.” Users of the VGTV appreciate the robot’s ability to change shape, a feature which Micire says allows the user to directly influence its performance in tough environments. “I call it ‘The Shape-Shifter',” laughs Sales and Marketing Manager Karen McDonnell, noting that the Micro VGTV can crawl along at under three inches in height, or, for better camera vantage and maneuverability, rear up to ten inches in height with its tracks in a triangle configuration. The next generation of the VGTV will satisfy customers who need a versatile and portable inspection equipment that can do its work on rough ground, in poor visibility or extreme temperatures, and underwater to depths of 10 meters.
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The vehicle operates by means of a small-diameter, lightweight, 100-foot tether cable. Custom tether lengths are available. The complete system is easily transported and managed by a single operator. The vehicle is controlled using a hand-held control unit incorporating a joystick for speed and direction, with separate controls for the raise/lower, camera tilt, light, focus functions, optional lasers and bi-directional audio functions.
Chris Roper Canadian Sales: (250) 361-9115 USA Sales: (805) 798-0277 chris@roperresources.com www.roperresources.com For additional editorial information please visit Roper Resources Ltd. web site or contact Chris Roper directly.
Now waterproof and with a turnkey ergonomically engineered membrane controller and optional battery pack, the vehicle can be operated effectively within mere minutes of training. The Micro VGTV can be custom ordered "scaled up" in size, weight and power to serve a wide variety of applications and negotiate larger obstacles. The standard vehicle is available with a color or black and white camera, and individual systems can be built to incorporate a variety of sensors or devices required for specific applications. Since 1989, Inuktun has been designing and manufacturing remotely-operated, video-inspection robotic systems for use in hazardous areas, confined spaces and underwater applications throughout the world. Inuktun’s design and manufacturing group located in Nanaimo, British Columbia.
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