Monday, July 25, 2011

The U.S. Army's Robot Mule Ready For Deployment

Photo: Lockheed Martin

Army Preps Robot Mule for Afghan Action -- The Danger Room

Meet Lockheed Martin’s Squad Mission Support System, a $500,000 robotic mule. If it can get the gear off the backs of soldiers during an ongoing trial run in New Mexico without overturning or driving off into the sunset, the Army wants to send it to Afghanistan.

No wonder: deployed soldiers have dozens of pounds of batteries, ammo, communications equipment and other kit they have to carry on their backs, on top of heavy armor. That’s why the military’s enamored with a variety of remotely controlled and even wearable machines to lighten the load. Some are deeply quirky, designed to resemble a headless dog.

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My Comment: At $500,000 per unit .... that is one expensive mule.

"Blackfish" The U.S. Navy's Remote-Controlled Robot


"Blackfish" The U.S. Navy's Remote-Controlled Jet Ski Robot -- The Danger Room

The Army has autonomous robots scampering around on land. The Air Force has killer drones dropping bombs from the air. Now the Navy — understandably just a little jealous, and clearly not satisfied with its robotic helicopters — prepares to add two new seafaring ‘bots to the mix.

“Blackfish” is a remote controlled, sawed-off jet ski meant to patrol ports for terrorist swimmers up to no good. “Harbor Wing” is a 60-foot, 10-ton, environmentally friendly sailboat with a catamaran’s hull, packed full of surveillance equipment meant to aim a stealthy, sailor-free eye on far away horizons. Both vessels would surf around without a human on board.




More News On Blackfish

First line of defence: The robotic jet ski that can see underwater when patrolling harbours for terrorists -- Daily Mail
Robotic Jet Ski Set to Patrol Harbors -- Discovery News
Navy tests robotic jet skis -- TG Navy
Navy testing robot Jet Ski for harbor patrols -- CNET
Robot Jet Ski Patrols Harbors Looking for Baddies -- Technabob
Navy testing remote controlled jet ski to detect swimming attackers -- Slash Gear
The Blackfish is a new remote controlled jet ski the Navy plans to add to their fleet -- Ubergizmo

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

American Soccer Robots Dominate World RoboCup 2011

CHARLI-L2 Contemplates the Ball RoMeLa

American Soccer Robots Dominate at the World RoboCup 2011 -- Popular Science

Soccer fans, rejoice: America has won the World Cup. Well, the robot World Cup.

In the finale of RoboCup 2011, two Virginia Tech robots took top honors in the adult-size and child-size categories. The full-size humanoid CHARLI-2, making its public debut at RoboCup, won the adult-size robot soccer match with a penalty kick, beating Robo Erectus of Singapore 1-0.

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