Sunday, October 1, 2023
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result

Robot ‘thinks’ its way through obstacle course at Army Science Conference

by US Army
December 3, 2010
in Technology News
2 min read
0
14
VIEWS

Smarter, smaller and more mobile robots the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) helped fund captured attendees’ attention at the 27th annual Army Science Conference held in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.

The University of Pennsylvania’s flying robotic platform the “Pelican” perfectly navigated a course on its own, going under, over and around obstacles in front of impressed crowds.

“The goal of the project is to have it navigate through a map without people helping it,” said Penn’s Nathan Michael, whose research is part of ARL’s Micro Autonomous Systems and Technology Collaborative Technology Alliance, or MAST CTA.

The whole thing, including the computer, weighs less than three pounds, and just a few years ago the technology would have taken a computer big enough to fill the back of a car, said Michael.

Not only has the robotic platform become much smaller, but it is also able to perform much more on its own.

“It takes a higher level of thought,” said Michael.

Equipped with sensing technologies, a laser camera, and a light-weight, low-power computer to interpret what the robot “sees” and “feels,” it is able to fly both in and outdoors, a feat that takes very complex computing.

“It’s asking questions like, ‘Where is my location? How do I plan in that map? How much wind can I control?'” said Michael.

The Pelican then determines its own route by taking into account the environment, what it needs to do to fly, and even its battery power, he added.

While Michael and other scientists continue perfecting the platform, they also take into consideration the MAST CTA, which is driving them toward even smaller scales, possibly something that could eventually fit in the palm of a hand.

With Penn’s research leading the CTA’s processing for automation research area, the overall alliance is actually lead by BAE Systems and acts as a partnership between ARL, 10 member institutions, eight sub-awardees and three transition partners, according to its website.

The overall goal is to develop autonomous, multifunctional, collaborative ensembles of agile, mobile micro-systems to enhance tactical situational awareness in urban and complex terrain for small unit operations.

ARL acts as the Army’s corporate laboratory and is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command.

Tags: Army & Security Forces NewsconferenceDefense Technology Newsrobotscience
Previous Post

Army medical simulation scientists developing tools to give realistic training

Next Post

Chinese army must deal with cyberwarfare

Related Posts

Trump order targets Chinese internet giants TikTok, WeChat

TikTok hit with UK fine, Australia government ban

April 6, 2023

TikTok was dealt fresh setbacks Tuesday as Australia joined a list of Western nations banning the Chinese-owned apps from government...

Officials provide details on building the Space Force, its structure, and operating imperatives

Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ at 40: Battle of the satellites

March 23, 2023

Forty years after US president Ronald Reagan stunned the nation and world with his "Star Wars" plan to take nuclear...

Next Post

Chinese army must deal with cyberwarfare

Latest Defense News

First Shipment of New Gepard Ammunition Now on its Way to Ukraine

First Shipment of New Gepard Ammunition Now on its Way to Ukraine

September 6, 2023
China will ‘never commit to abandoning the use of force’ on Taiwan: Xi

China warns against ‘new Cold War’ as big powers meet in SE Asia

September 6, 2023
US sending 3,000 more troops to Poland, as Ukraine tension rises: senior official

Poland to spend over 4% of GDP on defence in 2024

September 6, 2023
North Korea pursues weapons despite Covid blockade: UN report

North Korea to pay ‘price’ if it gives Russia arms: US

September 6, 2023
USAF F-16 fleet undergoing largest modification work in history

Russia says F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine will be seen as ‘nuclear’ threat

July 13, 2023
North Korea says conducted new test of solid-fuel ICBM

North Korea says conducted new test of solid-fuel ICBM

July 13, 2023

Defense Forum Discussions

  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates
  • Indonesian Aero News
  • Royal New Zealand Navy Discussions and Updates
  • NATO
  • United States Marine Corps
  • Russia - General Discussion.
  • USAF News and Discussion
  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • Russian/Soviet Military Literature
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com