A Japanese security company plans to rent out a private drone that takes off when intruder alarms are tripped and records footage of break-ins as they happen, a Secom spokeswoman said.

The helicopter-like device is equipped with a small surveillance camera that can transmit live pictures of a crime taking place. “The flying robot could take off if our online security systems detect any unauthorised entry. It would enable us to quickly check out what’s actually happening on the spot,” ,” Asuka Saito said.

The machine with four sets of rotors is based on a model provided by Germany’s Ascending Technologies and equipped with Secom-developed software, camera and other devices, Saito said.