FIFA World Cup Recruits Robots to Enhance Security

Happy Friday! The 2014 FIFA World Cup hosted in Brazil is approaching fast. The first match is scheduled to kick off on June 12th, and end with the final game on July 13. It is going to be a month full of excitement and energy with hundreds of thousands of people coming from all over the world to experience the action. With so many people going to the games, security is a top concern for the Brazilian government. 

Photo Credit: ibtimes.co.uk

For extra protection, "Brazil has secured a $7.2m (£4.3m, €5.25m) deal with iRobot, a US-based company that makes domestic robots for consumers, as well as [defense] and security robots for the military" (Brazil Using Military Grade Robots for FIFA World Cup 2014 Security). These security robots, known as PackBots, are going to be used to examine suspicious objects and provide extra surveillance during all matches. 

What's your opinion about using robots as an aid for security? Is there room to add a Virtual Agent into the robot so people can communicate their problem to the robot in case a live guard is not near? EX: my child is lost or someone stole my wallet. The VA can provide a list of steps to take, while sending out an alert to all security and requesting service from the nearest guard. Maybe for World Cup 2018?    

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