The Marine Corps Robot

The Marine Corps Robot

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The U.S. Marine Corps is currently evaluating a robotic, autonomous unmanned vehicle for patrols, force protection, base security and infiltration detection.

Photo: U.S. Marine Corps
Photo: U.S. Marine Corps

The vehicle, MDARS, is under evaluation at the Camp Wilson Marine Corps base. The system includes a Marines UGV (unmanned ground vehicle) equipped with a wide variety of sensors, including laser, radar and day/night cameras. The system, according to the military developers, is meant to “see what we Marines can’t see in the field.”

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

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The radar detects the presence of enemies or others entering the protected area, the laser aids in navigation and obstacle detection, and the cameras help ascertain whether a target is friendly or hostile. The system can follow pre-programmed patrol routes, move from point to point and replace manned guard patrols.

The vehicle and all its systems can operate day or night, its batteries lasting two hours. When at low capacity the vehicle independently heads toward a charging station. Operators are equipped with double keyboards, mice, binoculars and microphones, every item ruggedized for operations in harsh environments. The vehicle is also equipped with a GPS navigation system.

(Source: Marine Corps website)