ET Bureau: March 14, 2017
Defence firm CRON signs pact with Israeli robotics firm Automotive Robotic Industry Defence IoT firm CRON Systems has inked a technology pact with Israeli robotics company Automotive Robotic Industry (ARI) for integrated border security solutions across Indian borders and global perimeter protection.
The merger will see ARI’s allterrain Amstaf automated-rovers being integrated with CRON’s laser-guided intrusion-detection systems. The solution reduces response time to intrusions and aims to mitigate the element of surprise for soldiers patrolling borders.
The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has already commissioned 30 pilots of the new device to be tested in borders across Jammu and Punjab. “We are integrating rovers which will also have automated drones as a payload on them. The rover has the capability to load the drones at specific points and launch them,” Tushar Chhabra, CEO of CRON Systems told ET while shed ding light on the nature of the pilot with the BSF.
Through this collaboration, the YourNest Angel Fund backed company is looking to address a $50-billion global market for perimeter protection.
CRON will also pi lot these rovers beyond border defence in airports across Germany as well as for banking security in Malaysia.
“The combined product will make the entire surveillance apparatus more reliable and responsive.This merger aligns with our vision to develop user-friendly and cost-effective autonomous ground vehicles solutions,” said Amos Goren, founder of ARI.
Both companies together have invested $1 million for developing this technology.
The merger has CRON Systems sitting on a massive $20-million order book. “We will supply rovers to, and integrate automation solutions for about 30-40 clients in FY18. We are doubling our production and technology team size to fulfil the orders that are coming through,” Chhabra told ET.
CRON is also in advanced negotiations with two Indian automobile companies for a new product line focused on automating defence vehicles.
“We want to integrate large trucks and larger automobile manufacturers into automation with us. Amstaf is a rover but the end goal is to integrate the entire defence line into this,” explained Chhabra.