In a technology demonstration likely to bring to mind numerous science fiction films and stories, EUobserver reports that a project co-financed by the European Union (EU) has “produced a functioning prototype of the transportable patrol for land border surveillance.” The unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), named “Talos,” was put through its paces in mid-April at a Polish military training ground.

According to the EUobserver, “The complete system includes two autonomous UGVs, an unmanned command unit and a two-manned command center. Sensor towers are deployed in areas not accessible to UGVs. One vehicle—‘the interceptor’—is designed to track and chase down suspicious people spotted by its twin vehicle, which is equipped with optical and infra-red [sic] sensors. If they notice a suspect, they notify the interceptor and the command units, where border guards can order people via an onboard loudspeaker to halt and present their papers.”

The four year project has benefited from a €13 million grant from the European Commission and €7 million of private funding. Agnieszak Sponska, a Talos spokeswoman, told EUobserver that “the group is now seeking additional EU funding to further develop and eventually commercialise the UGV for mass production.”