TYR Tactical

Archive for the ‘Robotics’ Category

Novatiq Scorp Available From SPECOPS.PL

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

Swiss firm Navatiq has developed a new compact Unmanned Ground Vehicle called the Scorp which can pull double duty as a recce as well as EOD asset. It is a lightweight (~2.5 kg), throwable bot that boasts day/night 360° omnidirectional panoramic vision via 4 cameras mounted 1 per side. As you can see from the photo below, it also incorporates a built in microphone as well as Picatinny rails to mount additional accessories or sensors. Planned enhancements include biochemical detector, disruptor, encryption, manipulator with pincer, autonomous navigation, firing explosive charges, thermal imaging, etc.

The tracked Scorp also features articulating flipper arms to right itself in the event of a tumble or to aid in climbing. The control unit offers full recording capability as well as a range of 500 meters outdoors (line of sight) and 100 meters indoors (line of sight). Additionally, by utilizing alternative frequencies you can operate up to four robots within the same zone.

The Scorp is now available from the Polish form SPECOPS.

PopSci Article on EOD Technology

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

Fans of the G4TV show “Bomb Patrol Afghanistan” may find a new article on PopSci interesting. It covers the tools and equipment used by our EOD forces.

www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-12/eods-ten-year-toolbox-how-decade-ieds-has-reshaped-bomb-disposal-tech

Stuff We Didn’t Write About

Sunday, November 6th, 2011

For Civilians Who Want Military Style

Why can’t Hollywood get military uniforms right?

How Hi-Tech Robots Will Prevent the Next IDF Soldier Kidnapping

AFMC restructures to cut overhead, make command more efficient

Warrior Expo 2011 – iRobot

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

A great overview of iRobot’s line brought to you by Warrior Expo 2011.

adsinc.com/irobot

AlphaDog

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011

Meet AlphaDog, Boston Dynamics’ latest load carrying quadrupedal robot. This nightmarish fusion of machinery and the souls of abandoned canines can carry a payload of up to 400 lbs on 20-mile missions in rough terrain. It’s also extremely good at reorienting itself, looking as pissed as something without a face can as it does so, and the kicks that threw its predecessor, BigDog, for a loop are completely ineffective; shoving still works, thankfully. While it still looks like a monster from Silent Hill, at least this model doesn’t sound like a swarm of evil bees. Also, it kinda looks like an ATAT, which is always cool.

http://www.bostondynamics.com/

This story originally appeared at Tactical Fanboy

Datron Scout

Saturday, August 27th, 2011

If you’re at the Soldier Equipment & Technology Expo & Conference next week at Fort Bragg be sure to stop by Datron’s booth and take a look at the Scout Air Reconnaissance System. The Scout is a lightweight vertical take off and landing unmanned air system. It features hot-swappable payloads and missions profiles that include beyond line of sight or nighttime routes due to its GPS-based controls.

www.dtwc.com

Check Out iRobot at Warrior Expo

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Robots on the battlefield are becoming more and more prolific. And, while they aren’t about to replace us just yet, they can take on quite a few duties that keep humans out of harm’s way. One company that is leading the charge to develop more capable robot systems is iRobot.

iRobot will be on hand at Warrior Expo East to demonstrate their wares and Friday, 15 July, they will provide a presentation in their booth entitled, “Government & Industrial Robots: Robots that make a Difference”. More than 4,000 iRobot robots have been fielded to military and civil defense forces worldwide that pull duty performing search, reconnaissance, surveillance, IED inspection, bomb disposal, mounted and dismounted operations.

www.adsinc.com/breakouts-east

Mecha Attack!

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

While the Raytheon Company is busy working on an adult sized robotic exoskeleton, Japan already has child sized mechs! Yes, I said child sized. The ‘Kid’s Walker’ from robotics manufacturer Sakakibara Kikai is a prototype bipedal mech designed more as a child’s toy than the perfect tool to smash a genocidal alien collective, even with its $21,600 price tag. Luckily, for those of us on a budget, it will be available as a rental at some point. Then your kid could show the neighborhood bully who’s really the boss.

-Tactical FanBoy