Army
of Robots Deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan
A
unit of 2,500 robots are positioned in Iraq and Afghanistan to detect
and clear mines, unexploded ordnance, and dangerous improvised explosive
devices (IEDs) from a safe distance. London-based defence and security
technology company QinetiQ has supplied its TALON family of robots.
QinetiQ
says that detection and clearance of mines is important in Afghanistan,
where large numbers of landmines litter the countryside as a result of
almost continuous fighting since the late 1970s injuring 200,000 people,
according to United Nations estimates.
The new
TALON IV Engineer robot is said to be particularly suited to operations
in the region with a longer, stronger reach, stronger grasp, and the
ability to right itself.
"Our
TALON IV Engineer robot, with its extra strength and reach expands the
capabilities of troops to remotely clear routes, minefields or other
hazardous areas. And as with other TALON models it gives them the
ability to see inside and around vehicles and other barriers, helping
increase their overall safety," explained Dr William Ribich, president
of QinetiQ's US Technology Solutions Group.
Key
features of the robot include a full-swivel manipulator arm combined
with a seven-foot reach. This means a portable mine detector can be
taken out of a soldier's hands and mounted on the robot, so the search
can be conducted remotely.
Because
the arm is longer, stronger and able to swivel, the robot can now also
be used to remotely search inside bins, in higher vehicle cabs and
flatbeds plus behind guard rails or other obstacles. The arm is also
capable of lifting 65 pounds (30 kilograms), which means soldiers can
clear heavy debris off IEDs remotely too.
Since
its initial deployment in 2000, says the company, the TALON family of
robots has expanded to include small, medium and large robots devoted to
specific tasks, such as IED disposal, reconnaissance, hazardous
materials detection, combat engineering support and Special Weapons And
Tactics (SWAT) unit assistance.
New
robots introduced in the last year include MAARS and Dragon Runner SUGV,
which address the military's need for standoff protection, over and
above the use of TALON for counter-IED missions, says the company.
