Israel uses robot to inspect cars at West Bank crossings

An Israeli army battalion has recently tested out a four-wheeled robot called EyeDrive at a crossing point between Israel and the northern West Bank near the town of Tulkarm. The device was put through its paces by inspecting the underside of Palestinian cars and trucks.. The operator instructs the EyeDrive to roll beneath the vehicle being checked and scan for suspicious objects and contraband, as well as sending a live video feed to the operator. an officer with the unit has stated that the robot is "thorough, more efficient, safer and more respectful of the owners or drivers whose vehicles are undergoing inspection," . The 3.5 kg device is a bit larger than two thick paperback books laid side-by-side, and carries four rotatable cameras providing a 360-degree view, video and audio motion-detection software, and can deploy separate sensors. The device is operated via a wireless tablet computer, and contains enough computing power and memory to enable it to be used in counter-terrorism and surveillance operations, as well, said the Army Radio.