Japanese security company Secom will begin a new service using autonomous surveillance drones to monitor suspicious cars and individuals on the grounds of factories, stores and other work sites.

It reportedly is the first company in the world to use autonomous drones for private crime-prevention services.

The launch of the service was previously delayed due to several high-profile incidents involving drones, including when a drone carrying a small amount of radioactive cesium was found on the roof of the prime minister’s office in March this year, reported the Japan Times.

Secom will offer the drones as an option to its work site security services. When on-site sensors detect a suspicious object, the drone will autonomously approach and capture images from close range and relay the video to the security center, said PC World. 

It has developed its own drone that can travel at speeds of 10 kph at heights of 3 to 5 m and is equipped with a camera and lights, the Times said. In the case of a vehicle, the drone will photograph the car and its license plate. If it's a person, it will attempt to get a picture of their face, reported PC World.

The company will charge a monthly fee of 5,000 yen ($40) for the drone option. Customers will also need to pay an installation fee that starts at 800,000 yen and includes a hangar and control equipment, said PC World. 

Starting next spring, the company also plans to begin a surveillance service using blimps to monitor large-scale events.

The company said that the goal is to combine the drones and blimps to offer surveillance services for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Read more: http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Japan-s-Secom-uses-drones-for-surveillance-of-work-sites

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/12/10/business/corporate-business/secom-start-security-service-using-drones-friday/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3013810/security/this-japanese-security-drone-will-chase-intruders.html