The United States military has a long record of being at the forefront of
humankind’s technological achievements. For example, it was the U.S. Navy in the 1940s,
led by Admiral Rickover, who pioneered the use of nuclear power as a propulsion device,
and that eventually led to nuclear power plants for civilian use. Today, the military again leads
the charge into the future with their innovations in robotics and their many applications across the
entire infrastructure of the organization. According to National Defense Magazine,
robotics funding for the military increased from $17 million in 2015 to $379 million in 2021.
That number is only increasing as robots play an ever more important role across the entire field
of military operations. Of course, more robots always means a greater need for people to work
with those robots, and the military continues to be a source of robotics training for soldiers who
can then take their education on to a fulfilling career in manufacturing after discharge.
While the primary role of robots in the military continues to be support and behind the scenes,
building, sanding and maintaining equipment and machinery, there are some really exciting
developments being made with robots that have more active roles. Therefore, don’t forget to
watch today’s video to the very end for the 5 most advanced army robots at this moment!
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Number 5. MAARS Powerful, modular and combat-ready,
theDSCN1242gray muzzle Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System (MAARS®) is an unmanned ground
vehicle designed specifically for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions
to increase the security of personnel manning forward locations. MAARS can be positioned in
remote areas where personnel are currently unable to monitor their security and can also carry
either a direct or indirect fire weapon system. How it works Agile and combat-ready, MAARS
keeps warfighters at a safe distance from enemy fire while effectively executing their security
missions. MAARS enables the remote emplacement of RSTA sensors into critical locations up to several
kilometers away providing early warning while enabling immediate response if required. MAARS
can be positioned in remote areas where personnel are currently unable to monitor their security,
and can also carry either a direct or indirect fire weapon system. Remotely controlled by an
operator equipped with a lightweight, wearable, control unit, MAARS features multiple on-board day
and night cameras, motion detectors, an acoustic microphone, a hostile fire detection system,
and a loud speaker system with siren to provide optimum situational awareness and alarm.
MAARS can even provide multiple options for the escalation of force when required by the
Rules of Engagement, from non-lethal lasers dazzlers and audio deterrents,
to less-than-lethal grenades, to lethal fires from the grenade launcher or the medium machine gun.
MAARS is also extremely safe and tamper proof as it can be operated only when
receiving properly coded instructions from its operator. Rugged and robust, MAARS offers
unmatched modularity combined with the unique ability to remotely position advanced sensors
and force application tools to greatly enhance the security of forward bases and outposts.
Number 4. The Robobee Insect-inspired robots with potential uses
in crop pollination, search and rescue missions, surveillance, as well as high-resolution weather,
climate, and environmental monitoring. Inspired by the biology of a bee, researchers at the Wyss
Institute are developing RoboBees, manmade systems that could perform myriad roles in agriculture or
disaster relief. A RoboBee measures about half the size of a paper clip, weighs less that one-tenth
of a gram, and flies using “artificial muscles” compromised of materials that contract when a
voltage is applied. Additional modifications allow some models of RoboBee to transition
from swimming underwater to flying, as well as “perch” on surfaces using static electricity.
The masterminding of the RoboBee was motivated by the idea to develop autonomous micro-aerial
vehicles capable of self-contained, self-directed flight and of achieving coordinated behavior in
large groups. To that end, the RoboBee development is broadly divided into three main components:
the Body, Brain, and Colony. Body development consists of constructing robotic insects able
to fly on their own with the help of a compact and seamlessly integrated power
source; brain development is concerned with “smart” sensors
and control electronics that mimic the eyes and antennae of a bee,
and can sense and respond dynamically to the environment; the Colony’s focus is about
coordinating the behavior of many independent robots so they act as an effective unit.
To construct RoboBees, researchers at the Wyss Institute have developed innovative manufacturing
methods, so-called Pop-Up microelectromechanical (MEMs) technologies (please also see the Pop-Up
MEMS technology page) that have already greatly expanded the boundaries of current robotics design
and engineering. All areas for the use of RoboBees are available for licensing.
Number 3. The DOGO Man portable,
miniature robots have been used in military missions for several years,
but due to their size, limited payload capacity and complex controls, their uses were restricted
primarily to counter-improvised explosive devices (C-IED) and reconnaissance. A new robot developed
by Israel’s General Robotics is introducing a new breed of ‘combat robots’ at Eurosatory 2016,
designed to assist combat teams in urban assaults and counter-terror operations.
At a mission gross weight of only 12 kg (26.5 lbs) the tactical tracked robot dubbed ‘DOGO’
packs enough battery power to last for a 2-5 hour mission, eight cameras covering
360 degrees, a fully loaded Glock 26 pistol and accessories mounted on Picatinny rails.
The equipment carried on the rails provides various non-lethal effects, such as pepper
spray module or a dazzler that temporarily blinds an aggressor from a distance of 5-10 meters.
According to Shachar Gal, VP Business Development at General Robotics, DOGO was designed for Special
Forces, SWAT teams, and infantry missions. The small, lightweight robot can climb stairs and
move across difficult terrain. “The robot have certain advantages over the human warfighter.
Since the stable platform is more accurate than a human, and, when operated from a safe distance,
enables more time for situational assessment rather than the warfighters’ instinctive response.
While the robot is limited in pursuit, using two DOGO in mutual cover would keep the target
covered even in pursuit, trying to escape or engaging one of the robots. The small,
stealthy robot is designed to be effective against targets much higher than itself – DOGO
can aim its weapon very low – at targets lying on the floor or hiding under a bed,
or aim up to hit a standing person at close range. The robot has an integral, locked case designed
for the 9mm Glock 26. The fully loaded weapon has 14 cartridges is quickly attached to the DOGO,
with remotely controlled safe/arm mechanism. The DOGO Robot is controlled by the ‘Ranger’ Remote
Control Unit (RCU) developed by General Robotics. The RCU uses a commercial, off the shelf (COTS)
Ruggedized FZ-G1 Panasonic Toughpad, encased with jacket providing the robotic controls.
he RCU provides joystick controls to navigate the robot with ‘Point & Shoot’ interface that
allows the operate to designate the weapon towards a target by touching the target as
it appears on the screen. Operators that mastered the system after short training
have demonstrated the ability to bring the weapon and fire five rounds in two seconds.
Number 2. SAFFiR The US Navy has unveiled a prototype
of its Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot (SAFFiR). The last time we saw SAFFiR, it wasn't
much more than an aluminum core and two legs, but now it looks more like the futuristic firefighting
humanoid it originally promised to be. "We set out to build and demonstrate a humanoid capable
of mobility aboard a ship, manipulating doors and fire hoses, and equipped with sensors to see and
navigate through smoke," Office of Naval Research program manager Thomas McKenna said yesterday at
the Naval Future Force Science & Technology Expo. "The longterm goal is to keep sailors from the
danger of direct exposure to fire." SAFFiR, which was developed by researchers at Virginia Tech,
stands five-foot-10 inches tall and weighs 143 pounds. Infrared stereovision sensors and
a rotating laser allow the robot to see through dense smoke. Unlike DARPA's Atlas robot, SAFFiR
can't stand without a tether, but it is capable of taking measured steps and handling a fire hose.
For now, those movements come at the instruction of human controllers.
During a test trial in November, SAFFiR worked in conjunction with a small drone,
Engadget reports. The quadcopter, DC-21, uses infrared sensors and cameras to detect fires and
map out the topography of an area, which it can then communicate to the robot. The Navy is working
on creating more advanced sensors for SAFFiR, as well as improving its speed, intelligence,
and communication abilities. The drone's creators also plan on improving the battery life of DC-21,
which currently tops out at five minutes. The ultimate goal is for SAFFiR to work in tandem
with Navy officers, not replace them. "We're working toward human-robot teams," McKenna said.
"It's what we call the hybrid force: humans and robots working together."
Number 1. Gladiator Designed to assist the U.S. Marine Corps
in various operations, the Gladiator Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle looks like a small tank,
and can be outfitted with various modular tools and armaments depending on what the situation
calls for. Although it tops out at 10 miles per hour, the Gladiator trades speed for toughness; it
has an armored hull, and users can mount machine guns and grenade launchers directly onto its body.
In 2002-2004 the OSD Joint Robotics Program and the Office of Naval Research funded an RDT&E
program to develop technologies that dramatically increased the performance, capabilities,
and affordability of the Gladiator. A team led by Carnegie Mellon University, developed a prototype
Gladiator system that was successfully demonstrated in February and July 2004.
The focus of those demonstrations was on robotic mobility and robotic scouting, respectively.
Following successful conclusion of the ONR program, the Robotics Systems Joint
Project Office in Huntsville Alabama conducted a competitive procurement for the System Development
and Demonstration program. The program includes finalizing the Gladiator design, building six
prototype vehicles and delivering these vehicles with an appropriate support package to the Marines
for operational evaluation in 2006. On February 7, 2005, RS JPO awarded a $26.4M SDD contract
to Carnegie Mellon University. In partnership with its primary subcontractor, BAE Systems,
the Carnegie Mellon team is in the process of designing and
developing a Gladiator system that will adhere to Marines Corps’ requirements.
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