M26 Air-Taser to
Andros Mark VI-A Project
Officer Kelvin A. Helmick #174
Chandler Police Department
(480) 782-4536
kelvin.helmick@ci.chandler.az.us

Objective:
To attach an Advanced Air Taser to the Remotec Andros Mark VI robot for tactical
operations where a less-lethal weapon may be desirable.

History:
The Chandler Police Department purchased the Andros robot for Special Assignment Unit
operations in 1999. Around the same time period the department adopted the Advanced
Air-Taser to it’s less-lethal arsenal. The use of the two devices combined into one is the
desired effect of this project.

Advanced Air Taser:
Steve Tuttle Director of Government & Law Enforcement Affairs (800-978-2737 ext.
2006) of Air Taser has provided a Taser for this project as well as many hours of technical
support for this project.

Problems:
The Advanced Air Taser looks just like a firearm. Although this is a desirable feature for
use by officers in the field, this is not as advantageous for a slow moving robotic device.

Because the robot is slow to move about and manipulate the arms, it would be difficult to
aim and fire a weapon which outwardly appeared as such towards a reluctant suspect.

Solutions:
The easiest solution would be change the appearance or hide the weapon entirely on the
chassis of the robot. Since the arm of the robot has the most amount of articulation the
most logical place to mount a weapon is on the arm. This provides a small space for mounting
items. Additionally, the arm is the only portion of the robot that would allow the weapon to
be properly aimed. The following solution is offered as a way to both mount the Taser on
the arm of the robot and wire the unit into the existing wiring and controller for the robot.
Step 1.

The Taser must be modified to change the appearance of the weapon by cutting off
the grip portion of the weapon. This will significantly alter the overall appearance
of the weapon and will do away with the battery compartment of the Taser.
Cutting of the case of the
weapon should be done with a
Dremel tool or similar tool. Care
should be given to not penetrate
the internal circuitry of the
weapon. The edges of the cut
should be sanded to remove any
sharp edges.

Figure 1 – Proposed location to cut the Air-Taser.

Step 2.

Once the weapon has been cut,
attachments should be made to the
power connection inside the weapon
itself. As you look at the inside of
the weapon, you’ll see two power
connectors. The forward most
connector, that is the connection
which is closest to the trigger will
be the negative contact. The rear
most connector is the positive.
Connections will have to be soldered
to the inside of handle. Tin the
wires before so as to reduce the
amount of time required to solder.
Overheating the connection may

Figure 2 – Indicates the connections to be made to
the Air-Taser. Battery pack wires must be soldered.

damage the weapon. The attached schematics indicates red and black wires to
these two connections. The red should be soldered to the rear most contact, while
the black will be soldered to the front.

Figure 3 – Depicting the location of the RJ11 jack and pin configuration.

Step 3.

Step 4.

Remove the rubber plug from the back of the M-26. This is where your connections
will be made to turn on the unit, to include the laser, as well as fire the weapon. So
as to not tamper with the internal workings of the Taser, connection will be made
with a RJ11 jack (available at most electronic stores).

Obtain a “Cannon” plug. These are available through many suppliers on the internet
or contact Remotec, specify connector P32 Weapons Plug. This is a 19 pin

Figure 4 – Shows the pin-outs of the connector.

connector.

Figure 5 – The “P-32” plug.

Step 5.

Because of the differences between the weapon and the robot, coupling the two
systems will require the use of two relays. One relay with coils rated at 5 volts of
continuous duty and the other rated at 24 volts. These two relays will have to be
integrated into both the robot and the weapon.

Figure 6 – The connections between the robot and the Air-Taser.

Step 6.

Step 7.

Once the wiring connections are made to both devices, the relays should be encased
in some sort of enclosure. Wires should be wrapped in heat shrink and strain
relief’s should be applied where applicable.

Mounting the Taser directly to the arm of the robot is not advisable since this will
limit the availability of other weapons should the need arise. Mounting the Taser in
conjunction with other weapons is not possible since the Taser will occupy the
weapons plug on the arm.
The logical choice then is to mount the Taser on the searchlight. The searchlight
does not use the weapons plug, it uses the external jacks on the left side of the arm
of the robot. The mount for the searchlight is also large enough to accommodate
hiding the Taser underneath the mount.

Figure 7 – The searchlight for the robot.

Step 8.

Remove the spotlight and battery from the mounting bar. Machine two ¼ inch slots
in the frame of mount about halfway between the front of the mount and the light.
You will need to allow clearance for the bolt that protrudes through the bottom of
the mount from the lamp.
ABS, Kydex, or similar type of plastic will have to be molded to wrap around the
weapon. This will serve for two functions. First to insulate the weapon from the
framework of the light mount, the second to hide the weapon. The plastic should
have two slots comparable to those made in the mount.

The weapon will be secured to the mount utilizing a automotive hose clamp. The
clamp will go through the trigger guard and over the top of the weapon, through the

Figure 8 – Order of installation of parts to be installed with hose clamp.

plastic, the light mount and back down the other side.

Conclusion:
Although this project is still in the planning phases, the overall outcome may achieve the
desired effect.