Landshark

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Landshark Video

The genius of the LandShark is its versatility. The 400-pound bomb-diffusing robot, which will deploy next year to Iraq, is made entirely from off-the-shelf parts, so virtually any mechanic can repair it. Equipped with explosive charges, a dirt tiller and directional sensors, the LandShark can transform from a bomb shredder to a sentry in minutes. Two seven-horsepower electric motors let it travel 15 mph, carry 250 pounds, and even tow a wounded soldier. It’s narrow enough to fit through a door, and its elevated front wheels can climb rocky, 42-degree inclines. The most remarkable feature? Its cost: just $70,000, fully loaded, compared with $250,000 for competing rigs. That makes it cheap enough for the troops on the front line, not just specialized squads, as well as firefighters and first-responders. blackirobotics.com

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