The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed the Pudu unit, which can dispense the polyurethane foam in under a minute. Within another 60 seconds, the foam becomes a rock hard, concrete-like substance which has become a major deterrent to robbers attempting cash-in-transit heists.

CSIR spokesperson Delon Mudaly explains that with the Pudu, guards manning a cash-in-transit vehicle can quickly immobilise the area where a heist is taking place and ensure that cash and other valuables can be protected and later retrieved. It takes about two days to cut through the hardened foam. And it seems not many criminals have the patience to hang around for that.

“Cash-in-transit heists are about intelligence and inside information. Robbers find out that vehicles are protected by technology that cannot be attacked. They don’t understand the technology, but they know they can’t undo it.”

Mudaly also says that a Pudu solution has now been developed to stifle ATM robberies.

The South African invention is being marketed internationally.

[Source: Business Day]