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Military Intelligence: iRobot PackBot Finds Jesus If It Has To!The bots are to be used for several tasks |
By Roxana Deduleasa, Gadget News Editor
12th of December 2007, 17:06 GMT
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After years of advanced research and development, iRobot can finally release its new PackBot with Mapping Kit robot, specially designed to help the soldiers manage potentially dangerous situations, involving surveillance, search and other missions, without loosing their lives.
The news is even better, as the PackBot is the first field tested and deployed bot to actually integrate a complex mapping system, as well as semi-autonomous remote operational capabilities. The robot can be used on all weather and it is equipped with a wide angle color drive camera for forward driving versatility. But its brain is the one that makes the difference, as the bot has been packed with an onboard mobile Pentium PC, 256 MB SDRAM, overheat protection, compass accelerometers and inclinometer. Moreover, it can carry up to 20 kilos at one time, not to mention that it features a hardened case with shock-absorbing bumpers and gets juiced up via one rechargeable battery.
"PackBot with Mapping Kit utilizes new technology that directly addresses the needs of modern warfighter and other first responders to safely gather crucial environmental intelligence without having to enter hazardous situations. We foresee it becoming an invaluable addition to small unmanned ground vehicle operations that require fast and reliable navigation capabilities in rugged environments." Vice Admiral Joe Dyer, president of iRobot Government and Industrial Robots division, added.
Combining sensors and artificial intelligence, PackBot with Mapping Kit can guide soldiers using a two-dimensional structural map of the environment and go back to its operator, in real time.
While engaged in a mission, the robot can also detect and avoid obstacles in its path. Meanwhile, the soldier maintains control of the robot. However, if it encounters a difficult obstacle, PackBot will autonomously change its course to avoid possible imminent collisions. Such an advanced level of autonomy enables the operator to navigate faster and smarter through unknown and possibly dangerous environments.
According to iRobot, the PackBot with Mapping Kit is available for purchase by "governmental, industrial, and academic research and development labs for operational experimentation and evaluation."
iRobot claims this sensor technology will enable future advancements of the Mapping Kit, so that the bot will provide the war fighter with an "increasingly robust and ruggedized mapping and obstacle avoidance capability." This basically means no more wasted lives!
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