Saddle Up for the U.S. Army's Robotics Rodeo

The Army invites robotic handlers to show off their wares

By Jeremy Hsu Posted 09.04.2009 at 1:16 pm 4 Comments

Robot Gunslinger Steady there, cowboy Mark Rutherford/CNET

At the first Robotics Rodeo, hosted this week by the U.S. Army and the Fort Hood III Corps in Texas, war machines replaced bulls and horses. Soldiers and civilian contractors used the opportunity, starting on Wednesday, to inspect a lineup of robots that could potentially find a place on the battlefield.

"If we're not fielding, we're failing; it's all about saving soldiers' lives," said Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, Fort Hood commander and co-host of the event. "It's not about technology demonstrations, not about how much money you can garner from the U.S. government, it's all about saving soldiers' lives."

Robots Carrying Robots: Giddyup big daddy! Mark Rutherford/CNET

The first-time event emerged as the brainchild of the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). CNET reports that TARDEC invited more than 40 robot handlers to showcase a wide range of autonomous systems.

Several robotic systems at the rodeo displayed the ability to tote their smaller robot brethren. For instance, John Deere brought its autonomous mule known as R-Gator, which can ferry and deploy more specialized robots. Another robot known as the Archer can tote two smaller baby robots while running on a hybrid diesel electric engine.

Such an event comes as little surprise in this day and age. PopSci's latest issue investigates how the U.S. Air Force has dealt with a rush to convert its pilots into drone jockeys. We also investigated this robotic shift through the prism of the latest Hollywood blockbusters.

The U.S. Navy has also waded into new waters with its own fleet of drones. And PopSci previously showcased the tank-like Ripsaw that may prove the mack daddy of U.S. Army robots.

Perhaps a deal or two may get signed after the rodeo wraps up today, but some vendors complained to CNET that no officer had stepped forward just yet to requisition any particular robots. No word on whether any took out their frustrations by riding the mechanical bull.

[via CNET]

Previous Article: ISS's New Reactor Uses Sound Waves to To Form Materials Attainable Only In Space

Next Article: NASA Panel Submits Its Big Plan For Future of Human Space Flight

Want to read more articles on the military, aviation, and space? Subscribe to Popular Science today, for less than $1 per issue!

4 Comments

Link to this comment

TechnoFreakFace

09/06/09 at 6:42 pm

is it just me or that bot in the picture seem highly inefficient?

1)so much machinery to carry those tiny bots?!

2)looks like a small bump in the road would knock the mini-bots of its carrier

3) How does it "deploy" the bots the bots without human help? an unfolding ramp?!! INEFFICIENT!!Gotta be kept as close to ground level as possible...and the engine on top...kinda like a garage

4)first we made robots now were making robots to carry the robots?! When we still have only inefficent and limited robots?! Concentrate on making some at least mediocre bots first...

5) good initiative overall...but not to big...participation could be far better...all you backyard tinkerers reading this...could you make something like these? Better than these? enter these kinds of competition. No corporation can outwit a free-lance inventor at these things

Link to this comment

Kim - Talkingde...

09/07/09 at 10:40 am

I am curious, we do not hear alot about what happens to the robot if the target shoots back and a couple bullets hit the robot. Woulds 1 or 2 hits destroy or at the very least, end its intended mission. ?

Link to this comment

09/08/09 at 5:31 pm

yeah i didnt hear mutch about protection on any remote controlled war whatever what happens if a bullet found its way right down the throut of a sensor or somethin would u be screwd

Link to this comment

TechnoFreakFace

09/13/09 at 12:22 pm

thats really why UAV should be cheap and replacable...

Technology

+ More Photo Galleries

June 2013: American Energy Independence

Five amazing, clean technologies that will set us free, in this month's energy-focused issue. Also: how to build a better bomb detector, the robotic toys that are raising your children, a human catapult, the world's smallest arcade, and much more.