Secom Co unveiled a helicopter like drone prototype it said can detect and videotape suspicious vehicles and people breaking into the premises of a shop, warehouse, factory or other properties, Kyodo News agency reported.
The machine, equipped with four propellers, is 60 cm long and wide and weighs around 1.6 kg. It takes off once it receives an alert from ground-based laser sensors to approach the target and transmit video data to its control center, Secom said.
The company said it aims to start renting the machine for less than 5,000 yen (USD 58) a month in 2014 and it is interested in selling the service in other countries as well.
"To reduce the number of crimes, we wanted to develop a flying robot that can approach a culprit and his or her vehicles as closely as possible," said Secom chief Shuji Maeda.