Robotics

Saving Lives and Money

by
Mr. Bill Adams
United States Army Maneuver Support Center
Combat Developments
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Email:
Adamswh@Wood.Army.Mil
 Topics/Agenda

• Robotics Saving Lives and Money

• Robotics Programs
• Army Engineers
• Army Military Police
• Army Chemical

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 Robots Saves Lives
Mission: Clear Roads & Areas of Landmines

Element Without Robot With Robot

Personnel Loss 14 Soldiers 3 Soldiers

Computer Modeling-JANUS, JUN 97 3

 Robots Working for NATO

e d \ Fie lded
Develop Balkans
o b o t s For
R 00
1995-20

M60 Tank
Anti Tank Landmines

Mini Flail
Anti Personnel Landmines 4
 Robots Also Save Time

Mine Proofing
Robot Panther versus Engineer Company
Route Buried Scatterable
System Clearing Mines Mines
Panther .5 Hours 2 Hours 7.5 Hours
Company 2.7 Hours 34 Hours 54 Hours
Savings 81% 94% 86%
Meters 100 x 8 100 x 100 400 x 400

* Field Manual 5-34, Engineer Field Data, Table 2-3

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U.S Army Ground Robotics in NATO

• Army Deployed Robotics to Balkans-1995

• 500+ Landmines Cleared
• Operated by Soldiers
• Repaired by Contractors
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 Robots Saving Lives and Money

1. Use Today’s Robotic Technology

• No Equipment Increase (If Possible)
• No Manpower Increases

2. Add Tomorrow’s Technology When:

• Reliable
• Maintainable
• Practical
• Affordable

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 Robots Saving Lives and Money

3. Common Robot Sub-Systems

• Common Power Train
• Common Electrical System
• Common Computer Software
• Common Computer Hardware
• Common Communications
• Common Soldier Inter Face
• Logistics/Support System
4. Multi-Purpose/Mission Design
“Modular Add-On” Capability
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 Robotic Control Kit
Operator Control
Unit
Power Supply
Video Radio
On/Off Switch
Transmitter

Actuators Main Computer Day-Night

System Cameras
Standard Components 9
 Add Technology to Army Equipment
Saves Money for Army Engineers

Heavy Air Assault South Africa Airborne

Bull Dozer Bull Dozer Mine Detector Bull Dozer

Standard
Robotic
Control

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 Multi-Purpose Robotics
Robotic Combat Support System (RCSS)

Single Robot System-Add Payload Attachments

• Multi-Purpose Missions
• Clear Lane in AP Landmines/Wire Obstacles
• Create Man-sized Hole in Walls
• Deploy Protective Smoke
• Dismounted “Robotic” Load Carrier 11
 Small Robots

Employing small robots to conduct

tunnel, sewer, and bunker reconnaissance
in urban combat.

Subterranean Robotic Reconnaissance 12

 The Selection Process
Soldier Experiments
Systems Tested Results
1999-2000 Success

Foster Miller Robots

IS Robotics Mesa Associates Robotics

• Purpose:
• Soldiers Evaluate Each Small Robot Type
• Select the “Best” Parts of Each Robot
• Integrate the “Best” into a New Robot Design 13
 Urban Robot (URBOT)
-Water Proof-Rugged-Reliable
The Results
-100+ Meters Range in Tunnels/Sewers A New Robot
-Advanced Multi-Video
Driving Camera
Radio
Batteries

Zoom Camera-Lights
Controller
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Scale: 17 Centimeters =
 The Results
A New OCU
A New Tactical Dismounted Soldiers Operator Control Unit (OCU)
1998 2000

Suitcase-Non Tactical Design Backpack-Tactical Design

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 Small Robots
Can Save Lives

September 1, 2000 16
 Hybrid Trailer Concept
• Integrate Technology into Trailer Systems
• Self Propelled “Add-On” Technology
• Robotic Control “Add-On” Technology

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 Result =Hybrid Trailers

Self Propelled-Robotic Controlled

Trailer Systems
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 Hybrid Trailer Technology
Saves Money

Hybrid-Electric Power

Trailer Systems

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Robotics Control
 Impact
Saves Lives and Money
• Immediate Increase in Soldier Protection
• No Increase to Equipment
• No Increase to Deployability
• No Increase in Manpower

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 Military Police Robotics

Mobile Detection Assessment Response System -

Interior and Exterior (MDARS-I and MDARS-E)

MDARS-I MDARS-E
2000.....2001.....2002......2003........2004...........2005..............2006

Missions:
• Security of Depot Warehouse Building (MDARS-I)
• Security of Depot Warehouse Grounds (MDARS-E)
• Saves Money by Decreasing Soldiers Required for Guard
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 Chemical Robots

Robotic Smoke Vehicles UAV NBC Detection

(Safeguard)

Robotic Delivered Sensor 22

Probes
 Robotic Smoke Vehicles
Robotic Smoke Vehicles

Army Force

Robotic Smoke Vehicles

Saves Lives 23
 CONCLUSION

•The United States Army has employed ground

robotics for NATO for more than five years.

•The United States Army will continue to employ

robotics in the future.

•Our experience is Robots can save lives and

money.
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