Robotic Customs Inspector.. mitigates the risks of explosives and radioactive materials for field officers

Dubai – 01 April 2015: The Dubai Government Achievements Exhibition has provided a perfect platform for Dubai Customs to showcase its ground-breaking internally-created projects. Among these is the Robotic Inspector, which is a robust robotic device, comprising a set of special gauges and detectors for narcotics, explosives, harmful radiations, as well as a camcorder that streams live feed while containers inspections. 

The first-of-its-kind Robotic Inspector is used in large vehicles inspection and helps in reducing the needed time for inspection. It also helps officers avoid dealing with shipments suspected of containing narcotics, explosives or radioactive materials.  

Ahmed Siddiq AlBloushi, Duty Manager at Hatta Customs Centre and innovator of the Robotic Inspector, remarked that he was inspired by a remote-controlled toy. When their suspicions are raised towards a certain shipment, inspectors will call on the Robotic Inspector to examine it and ensure it doesn’t pose a risk to inspectors, who can then approach and inspect it.

The camcorder can capture high-resolution videos from as far as 3 km from the suspicious shipment and stream a live feed to be monitored by the inspector.

Safe Customs Inspector 

On the same regard, the Safe Customs Inspector caught the eyes of the visitors, while this newly introduced project corresponds to the finest details of a Customs inspector daily routines. “ This model is set to clear any health and safety issues that may be facing a field inspector, whether in confined spaces or in the bottom part of dhows. The model consists of a head protection (cap), protective glasses (day/night), moisture wicking jacket and protective hand gloves,” commented Jamal Bin Dasmal, Support and Special Units Manager at the Technical Support Department.

Bin Dasmal further added,  “It also includes a radioactive gauge in order to warn the inspector when approaching a radiation contaminated area. This gadget is periodically examined every 3 months to determine the exposure level of an inspector, and based on the findings, the inspector may be recommended away from the workplace until the radiation rates are back to normal level. The model as well includes a respirator mask for ensuring the optimal protection from repulsive scents and fumes, besides a gas detection gauge, for measuring the level of oxygen in confined areas, in addition to detecting poisonous gases. The fitted-in camcorder is set to document inspection operations in order to preserve the rights of both the inspector and the clients, besides using the recorded footage for  training purposes.”

Inspection Motor Bike

In order to ease the suffering instigated by the  congestion of trucks at Hatta Customs Center caused by the drivers’ approach in reaching out to the Customs offices  by themselves then back to their trucks after clearing their transactions; Dubai Customs innovated the idea of the “inspection motor bike”, which is equipped with the inspection and clearance system. Using the bike, a customs inspector can commute to the physical location of the truck undergoing inspection in order to finalize the inspection and clearance processes on the spot, while issuing the customs declaration. Thus, concluding the whole customs procedures can be done without the need for moving the truck. The bike has the capacity to maneuver rough terrain at ease.