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Remote-Controlled Throwable Robot Sent To Iraq For Testing
spacedaily.com ^ | 6/24/04 | Pittsburgh PA (SPX) (???)

Posted on 06/27/2004 1:06:05 AM PDT by endthematrix

Carnegie Mellon University robotics researchers, in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps' Warfighting Laboratory, have developed a small, throwable, remote-controlled prototype robot designed for surveillance in urban settings. Several of the robots are being sent to Iraq for testing. The robot, known as Dragon Runner, has the ability to see around corners and deliver information to Marines while keeping them out of danger in urban settings where human access is impractical, dangerous or unsustainable.

The Dragon Runner project is managed and funded by the Warfighting Laboratory (Quantico, Va.), which is part of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command. The system has been under development for more than two years and has already undergone rigorous testing in a variety of austere environments.

"The Dragon Runner can function in loose soil with small obstacles but is most effective on relatively flat surfaces like streets and sidewalks, making it ideal for an urban, desert environment," said Captain Dave Moreau, Dragon Runner Project Officer with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab.

"We have conducted a thorough evaluation of its capabilities in an urban, desert environment at both the former George Air Force Base, in Victorville, Calif., and Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas. The next step is to test Dragon Runner operationally in theater."

The architect behind Dragon Runner is Hagen Schempf, a principal research scientist in Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute. During his career, Schempf has designed robotic systems for asbestos removal, nuclear waste remediation and cleanup of underground storage tanks containing toxic materials.

"Dragon Runner is the lightest, smallest, most rugged, readily portable robot system for remote scouting operations in existence today," he said. "It has the potential to be the eyes and ears of the Marines in forward urban operations, allowing them to gather intelligence without being in harm's way. It is a tool that reduces potential lethal exposure to our troops by reducing the amount of time that they expose themselves to danger."

The Warfighting Laboratory describes Dragon Runner as a small, four-wheeled, all-wheel drive, invertible, tossable, remotely operated, low-cost, man-portable, mobile ground sensor designed to increase situational awareness at the small unit level (i.e., company and below) in urban environments.

In today's modern battle spaces, potential enemies capitalize on the asymmetric nature of urban areas. In response, Dragon Runner can provide real-time imagery of tactical objectives and potential danger areas beyond a Marine's line of sight during day or night.

Dragon Runner can stand in sentry mode by using several onboard motion and audio sensors to monitor selected areas. It may also be configured to carry mission-specific payloads. The complete system includes the vehicle, an operator control system and a controller configured for one-handed operation, all held in a custom backpack.

Dragon Runner has a top speed of more than 20 miles per hour but also can be operated with slow deliberate control. It operates in a mode similar to modern video games and can be deployed from its backpack in less than three seconds.

In addition to his work at the Robotics Institute, Schempf is chief scientist at Automatika, a Pittsburgh-based company he founded in 1995, that develops novel, high-value-added robotic and automation systems. Automatika was responsible for the development of Dragon Runner's rugged distributed vehicle electronics and the development of its impact-tolerant chassis and shell.

Automatika has licensed the Dragon Runner technology from Carnegie Mellon to explore the civilian opportunities for such a system. They believe there could be a variety of uses, i.e., in civil defense, SWAT, protecting the nation's borders and in criminal defense.

Schempf emphasized that after testing is complete, the university will not be involved in developing a military version of the system, which the Marine Corps may wish to procure through its military acquisition channels.

"What we're doing is not classified," he said. "It's about developing a new operational capability using innovative technologies and cutting-edge manufacturing and assembly methods."

According to William A. Thomasmeyer, president of the Robotics Foundry, an independent, non-profit economic development organization that directs programs and initiatives to accelerate the growth of an applied robotics industry in western Pennsylvania, Automatika is on track to become a robotics success story.

"If Dragon Runner is able to prove its mettle, it's likely to become the first mass-produced, agile, robotic product to be invented, engineered and manufactured in southwestern Pennsylvania," he said.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: iraq; miltech; robot; robotics
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1 posted on 06/27/2004 1:06:05 AM PDT by endthematrix
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To: endthematrix

Great for us while we have the monopoly on the technology. It begs the question, though....what happens in five or ten years when things like this are available off the shelf? Robot car bombs? Maybe we're approaching the day when the battlefield is just too dangerous for humans, and all the combat will be done by machines.


2 posted on 06/27/2004 1:12:29 AM PDT by kms61
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To: Lazamataz

Proof that watching Robot Wars wasn't a waste of our time!

3 posted on 06/27/2004 1:13:35 AM PDT by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
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To: kms61

Bye, Bye humans. Welcome to the machines!


4 posted on 06/27/2004 1:14:36 AM PDT by endthematrix (To enter my lane you must use your turn signal!)
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To: endthematrix

Righteous tag!


5 posted on 06/27/2004 1:16:32 AM PDT by Axenolith
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To: kms61

Battle Bots. Gotta love em.


6 posted on 06/27/2004 1:24:55 AM PDT by zarf
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To: Axenolith

I'm currently saving for a F-350 Superduty with a 8" lift and 35" BFG tires. I love my hour long commute! Watch out!


7 posted on 06/27/2004 1:27:54 AM PDT by endthematrix (To enter my lane you must use your turn signal!)
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To: endthematrix

Jeep Wrangler ownz u


8 posted on 06/27/2004 1:31:15 AM PDT by adam_az (Call your State Republican Party office and VOLUNTEER!!!!)
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To: adam_az
I'm working on my '80 CJ-5 and my DD is a stock Cherokee. I married into a Mopar family. Had a Chevy and my father in law told me to get it off his property. Had to sell it to marry his daughter. Then my wife "suckered" me into getting my project jeep, now over four years rebuilding, glass tub and all the goodies.
9 posted on 06/27/2004 1:41:12 AM PDT by endthematrix (To enter my lane you must use your turn signal!)
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To: kms61

You're about 15 years behind the times. They had robot car bombs in a dirty harry movie years ago.


10 posted on 06/27/2004 1:43:22 AM PDT by flashbunny (Taxes are not levied for the benefit of the taxed.)
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To: Cannoneer No. 4

for your viewing


11 posted on 06/27/2004 2:11:10 AM PDT by Khurkris (Will the wind ever remember the names it has blown in the past, It whispers no this will be the last)
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To: kms61

Robot "car" bombs could be a problem some day, but right now they would stand out as obvious threats and would be shot up by sentries (if they're big enough to do any major damage.) Unquestionably we need much better surveillance technology to secure a country like Iraq, and this is a start.


12 posted on 06/27/2004 3:21:00 AM PDT by carl in alaska (Suddenly the raven on Scalia's desk stirred and spoke. Quoth the raven..."NeverGore")
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To: kms61

Don't worry. As soon as the Muslims and their friends cry foul, we'll take the robot out of service.


13 posted on 06/27/2004 3:22:08 AM PDT by hershey
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To: endthematrix
[dumb blonde/surf dude]

They're small enough to put in a backpack and "throw" into action? Doesn't this also mean, like, that somebody can, like, PICK ONE UP AND THROW IT INTO THE NEAREST RIVER?

Like, sheesh...

[/dumb blonde/surf dude]

14 posted on 06/27/2004 3:55:53 AM PDT by DJ Frisat
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To: endthematrix

I hope that is also contains explosives that can be remotely detonated!


15 posted on 06/27/2004 4:39:34 AM PDT by leprechaun9
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To: endthematrix
Wait till the RATS in both Congress and academia find out that Carnegie Mellon University is cooperating with the USMC. This robot program will be shut down fast unless it can be proved that these robotic "weapons of war" can be converted to delivering food to people too lazy to go to work, or can perform abortions.
16 posted on 06/27/2004 4:52:16 AM PDT by Lockbar
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To: leprechaun9
It may also be configured to carry mission-specific payloads.

My guess is the thing would be armed with enough explosives to - um - discourage the enemy from trying to pick one up.

17 posted on 06/27/2004 4:54:52 AM PDT by toddst
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To: kms61

Heck these things ARE available off the shelf. Just go down to Radio Shack or any toy store. There are some very robust robotic toys that could be very easily modified to carry a camera or a small bomb. Even I could do it. They are so cheap, they could be disposable.


18 posted on 06/27/2004 5:04:10 AM PDT by numberonepal (goodnewsamerica.us Fast News For Common Sense People)
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To: Southack
The battlebot version has an anti personnel spike.

Looks like its good for picking up beer cans.

19 posted on 06/27/2004 5:10:28 AM PDT by Rebelbase ( aka Gassybrowneyedbum)
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To: kms61
Great for us while we have the monopoly on the technology. It begs the question, though....what happens in five or ten years when things like this are available off the shelf?

Since PC's came out, I've been wanting to get a good programmable robot. However, what they're selling commerically, like Lego Mindstorms, is expensive and/or fragile and/or is limited in the directions it can see and/or can't climb or navigate obstancles well. I think that the military stuff is likely to continue to be far superior to what is off the shelf.

Plus, if they love death like we love life, they have no need for gadgets to make reconnaissance safer.

20 posted on 06/27/2004 5:19:49 AM PDT by Steve Eisenberg
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