BAE 'hero' aids border security

A robot developed by BAE is helping the UK Border Agency find illegal immigrants trying to smuggle themselves into the country.

The robot, called Hero, is currently on trial at Calais, Europe's busiest port.

Resembling a briefcase on its side with a wheel at each corner, Hero can drive underneath cars and look at their underside with its camera, meaning border guards do not have to bend down themselves during searches.

The trial is aimed at reducing the amount of manpower needed for the task.

"Some people will use any means to get past immigration checks, and catching them can be extremely hazardous," said civil autonomous systems director at BAE, Richard Williams.

"It's a backbreaking, dirty and often dangerous job to look under every truck and with 10,000 of these vehicles each week boarding ferries, it is physically impossible UK Border Agency staff to personally check them all."

The demand for Hero could be on the increase after an announcement by the British and Irish governments.

Formal border checks between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are to be introduced after fears the border was too easy for illegal immigrants and people smugglers to cross.