The U.S. military is ready to field test several different prototypes of "throw-able robots" in Afghanistan. According to this article "Robots are a perfect tool to give soldiers in the field "eyes" on a potentially hazardous situation without placing themselves in harm's way. With soldiers often operating in difficult terrain or entering buildings, the easiest way to get such robots into place is usually to throw them."(http://www.gizmag.com/us-military-throwable-robots/20052/) The current versions of portable reconnaissance robots weigh 32 lbs. and worth their weight in gold. The significantly lighter versions currently in development will make their use that much more practical and tactically efficient. The goal is to give the soldier every possible advantage and chance for survival while in combat so they can live to fight another day and eventually come home safely. These robots are essentially cameras on wheels and prevent a soldier from having to walk blindly into a dark and cramped building where the space inside could be loaded full of enemies. These nifty robots are another great example of high-tech civilian technology being adapted for military use, and changing the way soldiers operate on the battlefield.
No comments:
Post a Comment