Jason Ford

Personal robots could enhance soldiers' situational awareness

News

Personal robots that can provide soldiers with an extra level of situational awareness are to be supplied to the US Army.

Under a contract worth $4.8m (£3.1m) from the US Army Rapid Equipping Force, ReconRobotics will supply 315 Recon Scout XT micro-robot kits and an equal number of SearchStick devices.

According to ReconRobotics, the SearchStick enables soldiers to convert any Recon Scout Throwbot into a pole camera, which can then be used to see over compound walls, onto rooftops and into culverts. The company plans to complete deliveries of these micro-robot systems by 31 October 2011.

Recon Scout XT micro-robots are reportedly deployed at the fire-team level — one robot for each four- to six-man fire team — to maximise situational awareness and standoff distance during route — and compound-clearing operations.

The Recon Scout — which weighs 540g and can be thrown up to 36m — determines the layout of the enclosed spaces, can identify potential IEDs and then fix the location of friendly, indigenous or enemy personnel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIS-MOcSCZw

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