Replace INS With Border Fence Robots

As a first generation American, I cringe at the talk of tougher immigration.  I can’t help recalling that the Final Solution was only implemented after the world closed its doors on European Jewry.  As 2012 approaches,  I plan to look at the election issues with a Robotic bent.

There is no question that the West Bank Separation Fence in Israel has been successful in reducing the numbers of suicide bombers and terror attacks in both Palestinian and Israeli controlled areas.  Between the period of September 2000 to the building of the Fence in 2006 there were approximately 20,000 attacks killing over 850 people and injuring over 6,000.  In 2010, there were 9 fatalities from terror attacks. This startling statistic proves there is a way to fight terror, even something so heinous as suicide bombing.

Last year, the US government contacted Israeli-based technology company, Elbit, for border technology along its Mexican border.  Elbit develops many of Israel’s most cutting-edge defense technologies.  Their LORROS system is a remote controlled virtual border security system that is “mounted on towers, placed in strategic locations along the border.  Each post is a self-sufficient unit, facilitating power, communication, and site security and processing.”  In addition to cameras that work in all conditions with thermal imaging displays, the LORROS system also includes radars, surveillance vehicles, and personal sensors with hand-held imagers.

Elbit’s VIPeR robot is 9 inches tall, 25 lbs. with infrared camera and mapping software that enables it to sniff out and disable bombs on site, without the need of endangering human troops. Just in case attackers are close by, its 4 ft. robotic arm is equipped with an UZI and grenade launcher (see above video and the VIPeR Review from the Military Channel)

As we listen to the banter in the UN, we have to remind ourselves that Israel, America’s oldest and closest ally in the Middle East, is on the front lines of the battle against terror everyday.  We all pray for peace and hopefully soon the need for VIPeR and other technologies will be obsolete. Until then, we are grateful for our ally’s support in sharing their technology.