Robot Reviews

With still one whole quarter left in 2009, the number of US casualties in Afghanistan is already almost 50% more than that of last year. Some officers in the military believe that number can be brought down if more robots are sent out.

Although the amount for additional funding was not revealed, it is apparent that the Department of Defense aims to further build up robot participation in the military. Among the main objectives is to improve the PackBot's capability to detect snipers. 

Last month (September 2009), a $19M task order was granted by the US Navy for technical services, engineering, and management of their underwater robots at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Rhode Island.

Earlier last month also, some $35.3M was spent by the Army for additional 486 iRobot PackBot 510's (with FasTac Kits). These are robots designed for surveillance and bomb disposal assistance. 

By the end of 2010, these PackBots may be reinforced by the Precision Urban Hopper, a wheeled robot capable of leaping over 25 feet. The Urban Hopper is currently being developed by Boston Dynamics and funded through DARPA. Additional support may also be rendered by the handheld and throwable Eyedrive.

The need to increase the number of robotic units in the battlefield is being pushed by some top officials in the military like Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, the commander of Fort Hood and a graduate of MIT. Lt. Gen. Lynch believes robot reinforcements (particularly autonomous ones) can greatly reduce the number of human casualties. 

Last month, Lynch hosted the first Robot Rodeo at For Hood. The five day event included demos from companies and organizations undertaking robotic technology research and development specifically for military operations.