During a sunny day in March, attention was focused on a 46cm robot with the mission to map the surroundings, detect poisonous gas, and search for survivors in a demo led by Prof Dr Ahmad ‘Athif Mohd Faudzi. The “survivors” were actually mannequins dressed as human workers to simulate a real-world scenario.
The goal of the demonstration was to showcase the X3cator robot’s capabilities in supporting the Hazardous Material Unit Team (Hazmat) under the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) during early reconnaissance missions.
“We spent about six months in the lab developing the robot, and to finally see it in action was very exciting for us,” Ahmad ‘Athif said. This opportunity allowed the university to apply its invention in the real world and collect valuable feedback.
In his role as the head of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Ahmad ‘Athif focuses on practical applications of robotics in real-life situations.
The Hazmat team was interested in exploring potential solutions to reduce the risk for the rescue team and victims, Ahmad ‘Athif explained.
When disaster strikes, the Hazmat team has a brief window to assess the area for gas contamination and radiation, so Ahmad ‘Athif emphasized the need for quick action.
Rather than dispatching an unprepared rescue team into potential danger, Ahmad ‘Athif’s solution was to deploy robots to gather initial information.
The X3cator is equipped with a four-gas monitoring system along with four cameras, a Geiger counter for detecting radiation, and a Lidar for range detection. It can relay gathered information in real-time to the response team and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize survivors.
Countries across the globe are experimenting with different types of robots, including cyborgs, for use in rescue missions, as seen in examples from Japan, China, and Malaysia.
In addition to disaster rescue missions, robots like the X3cator can also be used for safety inspections and detecting potential threats such as dangerous wildlife. Ahmad ‘Athif views robots as a way to help rescuers make data-driven decisions and emphasizes the need for government support for local technology.
Despite the success of the demo, Ahmad ‘Athif acknowledges that more features are needed in the X3cator to improve its utility in disaster-stricken areas. He points out the need for the robot’s ability to transmit information while in a building and suggests that a 5G network might be essential for its operation.
The production timeline for the X3cator robot is estimated at approximately 90 days, with plans to introduce it to the market through a leasing model. Ahmad ‘Athif envisions a future where robotic solutions can mitigate risks for humans in any field of work, particularly in dangerous, dirty, and difficult jobs.
As an educator, he works to inspire students to delve into robotics and use innovative technology to solve problems. The X3cator project has received funding from MYHackathon, which aims to enhance government service delivery through digital solutions.
