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Shape Shifting Material

By Chief Robot | Filed in Military, Research

Programmable MaterialScience researchers in Massachusetts have developed a material that can shape shift or fold in an origami fashion.  From the Harvard University press release:

The sheet, a thin composite of rigid tiles and elastomer joints, is studded with thin foil actuators (motorized switches) and flexible electronics. The demonstration material contains twenty-five total actuators, divided into five groupings. A shape is produced by triggering the proper actuator groups in sequence.

Daniela Rus is a professor of electrical engineering at MIT and one of the creators of these smart sheets.  She had this to say:.

“Smart sheets are Origami Robots that will make any shape on demand for their user,”

Maybe some day this transforming material will be used to make real Transformers.

It comes as no surprise that this project received some of its funding from DARPA.

Click through for a video of the origami action.

Link (Thanks Morgan)
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MuCAR-3

By Chief Robot | Filed in Military, Robot News

Mucar-3A group of researchers from University of the Bundeswehr Munich (UBM) showed off their MuCAR-3 last week at the European Land Robot Trial or ELROB held in Germany.  MuCAR-3 stands for Munich Cognitive Autonomous Robot Cars and is the third version of the car.

The main idea here is for MuCAR-3 to automatically follow a lead convoy car.  If that car stops or backs up, the MuCAR-3 does the same thing.  This could be used in a military convoy setting to transport supplies.

The car  uses a vision system and a  LIDAR system to navigate. LIDAR is a technique that uses laser pulses to detect objects and distances from the object.  The real goal is to allow the robotic car to classify objects in  meaningful way by itself without human intervention.

In 2007, some of this research team participated in the DARPA Urban Challenge on Team AnnieWAY.

Click through for a video of MuCAR-3 from ELROB in 2009. Held in Finland, MuCAR-3 was the only vehicle to completely finish the race on a track with 5.2 km of dense forest.

Link via (LA Times)
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Segway Robots Double As Sniper Targets

By Chief Robot | Filed in Military, Robot News

Sniper RobotMarathon Robotics is helping train the Australian Defense Force by outfitting Segways with fake bodies in hoodies for snipers to practice on.

The Rover system by Marathon applies state-of-the-art robotic technology to live-fire sniper training. This approach simultaneously improves realism and challenge of training while reducing the overall cost of ownership.

With the Rover system, a single instructor can conduct complex long-duration scenarios with multiple free-ranging targets. No need to use a joystick – just give the command and off they go, following a pre-orchestrated scenario. When a target is shot, it provides instant visual feedback by stopping and dropping its mannequin. It simultaneously sends a message to other targets, who can react by running for cover.

Click through for a video that reminds us of an episode of The Prisoner. The people, or in this case Segway robots, are “free”, but no one can leave.

Link via (Gizmodo)
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Dragon Runner A Robot In A Backpack

By Chief Robot | Filed in Military, Robot News

Dragon RunnerRecently unveiled by UK’s Ministry of Defence is the Dragon Runner bomb disposal robot.

Weighing only 14 pounds, it can move up to 5 miles an hour and can also climb stairs and open doors  This lightweight robot is meant to be carried by backpack and has been built by QinetQ UK.

So far 100 units have been produced for Britain’s military.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:

Dragon Runner is an excellent addition to the golf bag of tools that are available to our bomb disposal experts in the Armed Forces and we will continue to develop that kit as new technologies emerge.

See our previous post about the US Marine version of Dragon Runner.

Click through for a video of Dragon Runner picking up a bomb.

via (Daily Mail)
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Boeing Hummingbird Starts Production

By Chief Robot | Filed in Military, Robot News

A160 HummingbirdAn initial five A160T Hummingbirds are being produced now, with another 16 slated for the next 18 months in hopes to win a military contract.

The robotic helicopters would be used to re supply troops in dangerous areas like Afghanistan.

The Hummingbird was at the Dugway Proving Ground, Utah last week doing test for the Marines.  This included hauling 2,500 pounds up to 75 nautical miles away  withing 6 hours.  The Hummingbird completed the tests within 5 hours.

The Hummingbird can reach a top speed of 140 knots, which is about 161 miles per hour and can adjust its rotor speed in mid flight to save on fuel. Most helicopters tend to have a fixed rotor speed.

See our previous Boeing Hummingbird post or click through for a video.

Link via (The Register)

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