 RAPTRS
A UGV developed at the US Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems
Center, San Diego is the Recon Adaptive Patrol Tactical Robotic
System (RAPTRS) developed at SPAWAR utilizes the John Deer's
R-Gator robotic platform, developed by i-Robot. The vehicle
is designed to operate as an unmanned patrol sentry, guarding
the base perimeter. Utilizing obstacles and object avoidance
algorithms, RAPTRS can operate autonomously over a known terrain;
identify obstacles, as well as moving objects such as parked
cars, moving cars and people. It is designed to automatically
avoid such obstacles, while performing its mission.
Defender
The Robotics Development and Research group at the US Air
Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is pursuing a different sentry
known as Defender – described as an automated perimeter
security (APS) 'engagement platform'. The Defender is built
on a high mobility all terrain vehicle, capable of traveling
at a speed of 35 mph., over rough terrain. The vehicle is fitted
with color cameras to provide video feedback and road view for
the driver. The vehicle can patrol continuously for up to six
hours equipped with strobe flashing light system, a speaker
microphone system and both lethal and non lethal weapons, comprising
pepper spray fogger M-16A2 rifle or M240/249 machine guns.
 MDARS
General Dynamics displayed its Mobile detection Assessment
Response System (MDARS), a small diesel powered four wheel vehicle
used as a robotic patrol platform. The 3,500 lbs vehicle can
carry up to 500 lbs of payload, and operate at a speed up to
20 mph for 16 hours. Its payload comprises a video cameras and
two-way audio communications. Its primary mission is to patrol
secured areas, tracking potentially dangerous intruders without
risking human guards. The robot autonomously and randomly patrols
around inventory sensitive warehouses, airfields, ammunition
supply depots and port facilities. It can monitor RFID tagged
inventories, and determine the status of inventory, batteries
and locks while detecting intruders, maintaining visual contact,
alerting other forces and conducting first response countermeasures.
MDARS was developed for the joint program office force protection
systems and, since 2004, has been deployed by civilian guards
at the Hawthorne Army Depot. By 2010 the system is expected
to support guards operations in six depots in the USA. GDRS
is currently developing a naval surface vessel to assume similar
roles guarding ports and coastal facilities.
 Combat
Engineering Robots
Applied Research Associates (ARA) from the USA and FrontRunner
Robotics, a joint venture led by Israel Aerospace Industries,
InRob Tech and Zoko Enterprises, both developed robotic applications
for the Caterpillar Multi Terrain Loader (MTL). ARA's demonstrated
its Modular Robotic Control System (MRCS) at the AUVSI 07, the
MRCS kit equipped a Cat 247B MTL customized for handling heavy
unexploded ordnance. The vehicle can be fitted with various
attachments, including grappler, IED disruptor, forks, bucket,
backhoe, or mission specific sensors. A version of this vehicle
is customized for the US Army Nemesis demining vehicle. Nemesis
will utilize the robotic vehicle with counter-mine systems automatically
detecting anti-personnel and anti-tank mine. For FrontRunner,
AUVSI 07 provided the first introduction of the new robotic
MTL. A week later, this vehicle was demonstrated at the Force
Protection exhibition in the USA (FPED 07). The Israeli MTL
Weighs 3.8 tons and can lift up to 1.5 tons or push up to 2.5
tons. The standard tool is the blade, but many other tools can
be attached for specific missions. Apart from the standard tools
the FrontRunner can also mount a remotely controlled weapon
station carrying a machine gun or grenade launchers.
Another UGV program that will soon be operational in Israel
is the border patrol robot. The IDF plans to introduce the first
version of the autonomous, unmanned border patroller developed
by Genius Unmanned Ground Systems company, a joint ventrure
between Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems. The vehicle
will be based on a lightweight, all-terrain Jeep Wrangler size
platform. A full coverage of this program will soon be published
by Defense Update.
Back Packable Robots
iRobot displayed a wide range of PackBot UGVs, tailored for
different missions utilizing various payloads and sensors. The
company introduced the multi-sensor RedOwl Sniper Detection
Kit, enabling detection and targeting of hostile threats. Red
Owl packs an impressive, integrated package of acoustic and
imaging sensor s to support dismounted infantry combat missions.
 Eventually,
the Red Owl package will be reduced in size to fit the furure
Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) Early designed for the
FCS program.
A version of this new unmanned vehicle is the "SUGV Early",
displayed by Boeing and iRobot. Early will weigh about 30 pounds
(14 kg), about 30% lighter than the current PacBot. The robot
will be able to carry a maximum payload weight of 6 pounds (2.7
kg.) It will be smaller, and fit into standard MOLLE or ALICE
back packs. The robot will be waterproof when fully submerged
at depths up to 9.8 feet 3 meters. The tracked mobility system,
similar to the PacBot's allows the new robot to climb stairs,
drive over rubble or through tunnels and over difficult terrain.
It will be powered by standard rechargeable BB2590 military
batteries.
 Protonex,
a fuel cell technology developer introduced at AUVSI a new fuel
cell processor and replaceable cartridges, storing 720 W/h each.
The ProCore fuel cell system generates 2-4 times the energy
density of advanced batteries, significantly extending the run
time of ground robots or UAVs and increasing their payload carrying
capability. The cell generates full power within 60 seconds
from activation, for up to 24 hours. A fuel cell with three
fuel cartridges replaces three BA5590 batteries, saving 62%
on weight, 50% on size and about 20% on cost per mission.
Command and Control for UGVs
To effectively control unmanned ground vehicles in combat conditions,
General Dynamics Robotics Systems developed the Thor, a scalable
battle management system, designed for robotic and unmanned
systems. The system enables the small combat unit to operate
various unmanned systems as part of their routine activities
providing situational understanding, battle management, mission
planning and execution. Thor supports four levels of control,
including tele-operation of vehicles and payloads, autonomous
tactical behaviors incorporating movement, vision, and shooting
skills, automatic planning and computerized aids assisting in
the rapid execution of time critical tasks. The system also
supports collaborative operation, communicating between multiple
platforms, sensors and users.
 Another
control system called V-Star was displayed by Tadiran Systems.
This video receiving system, provides the warfighter a single
'all-in-one' console, integrating video receiving, support of
situational picture buildup, and advanced imagery analysis.
Advanced services include correlation between images and maps,
video enhancement and image processing, and optional data transmission
capability. The system can be utilized as a command and control
element for unmanned systems, as well as supporting other remotely
controlled sensors. Another remote control device called visually
integrated sensor (VIS) was introduced by AnthroTronix. VIS,
currently under development, will be used as an imaging and
orientation device as well as a display and control to guide
unmanned systems.
During a firefight, warfighters are focusing on their surrounding
and could be distracted by manually controlling a robot. Various
types of control devices introduced at AUVSI07 show some of
the more mature systems which could be used to control future
robots. AnthroTronix also introduced other innovative devices
designed to enable intuitive control of robotic systems and
UGVs. Among these were the instrumented glove (iGlove), which
operates as an 'air joystick', enabling unobtrusive and dexterous
control of uunmanned systems, including EOD robots, a patent
pending weapon mounted force controller (MFC), and the vibrotactile
Feedback belt, (VFB), providing feedback from a remote sensor,
indicating directional or situational information by silent,
non visual sensory stimulus.
Another application developed by Think-a-Move specifically
for the PacBot robotic vehicles family introduces heads-up,
hands free control of the system. The new system uses speech
commands and tongue signals to control the robot. It relies
on a special earpiece that picks distinct sounds created in
the ear canal, by tongue movement or whisper. These signals
are interpreted and used to replace standard mechanical controls.
The system can differentiate between operators, and is effective
in noisy environments.
Topics covered in this review:
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