1/3 Unmanned by 2015 Congressional Mandates
PUBLIC LAW 106-398-OCT. 30, 2000, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001
SEC. 220. UNMANNED ADVANCED CAPABILITY COMBAT AIRCRAFT AND GROUND COMBAT VEHICLES.
(a) GOAL.-It shall be a goal of the Armed Forces to achieve the fielding of unmanned, remotely controlled technology such that-
(1) by 2010, one-third of the aircraft in the operational deep strike force aircraft fleet are unmanned; and
(2) by 2015, one-third of the operational ground combat vehicles are unmanned.
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SECURITY GUARDBOT
The Actron WolfTM is a fully operational tracked mobile robot. Each track is equipped with its own suspension system.
The robot can move at speeds as high as 15 ft/s (10 mph), even while climbing or descending stairs. It can pivot about its center
and make sharp, accurate turns. The Actron Wolf's dimensions are 42" long, 21" wide, and 27" high. It weighs
150 lbs and is constructed in three major parts: lower chassis, upper chassis, and sensor turret. The lower chassis contains the
robot's propulsion, suspension, and electrical power systems. The upper chassis houses all computer and electronic processing
equipment, including user-interface devices. On top of the twelve-sided sonar turret is a
pan/tilt/zoom CCD camera, which can be used to detect distant obstacles.
The software structure is designed for evaluation and comparison of different algorithms for mobile robot locomotion (e.g., map
making, path planning, and path following). In addition to their role in mobile-robot research, machines like the Actron Wolf can be used for inspecting and handling of materials in hazardous areas, manufacturing, construction, structural integrity tests, and counter-crime applications. The robot can be equipped with portable sensing devices and actuators and programmed to sense its environment, record data, and perform specific tasks. Typically, such tasks are either too monotonous or too dangerous for humans to perform.
RESCUE PATROLBOT
The Actron BearTM is a fully operational tracked mobile robot. Each track is equipped with its own suspension system. The robot can move at speeds as high as 30 ft/s (20 mph), even while climbing or descending hills. It can pivot about its center and make sharp, accurate turns. The Actron Bear is 72" long, 48" wide, and 54" high. It weighs 630 lbs and is built in three major parts: lower chassis, upper chassis, and sensor turret. The lower chassis contains the robot's propulsion, suspension, and electrical power systems. The upper chassis houses all computer and electronic processing equipment, including user-interface devices. On top of the eight-sided sensor turret is a CCD camera, which can be rotated 45 degrees in each direction, is used to detect distant obstacles.
In addition, the robotic site-security application has certain advantages relative to more ambitious battlefield scenarios:
- The operating environment is known in advance and can to some degree be tailored to support robotic installation;
- Experience-based costs of conventional security measures and documented inventory shrinkage together provide a sound and credible basis for cost/benefit tradeoffs.
SERVA MENTORBOT
1. Remote visual observation (pre-designated parties);
2. Notification of abnormal/emergency conditions to the authorites (911);
3. Direct communication with family member, guest, hired help or intruder;
4. Bringing drinks, food, medicine or clothing to family members or guests;
5. Video conferencing with physicians and other service providers.
6. Mobile speakerphone for caregiver/receiver usage.
ServaTM
The Actron ServaTM provides families with and alternative to hiring a Nanny, Nurse, Security Guard, and Servant. It moves about on command and responds to physical and verbal inputs:
(1) Natural and enriched communication in accordance with life scenes
Recognizes approximately 2,000 words required for daily life and provides topics in accordance with life scenes and communicates in a friendly manner using gestures.
(2) Autonomous action in accordance with its own rhythm of life
The robot has its daily rhythm of life, moves in accordance with time and purpose, automatically charges its batteries and lives with family members.
(3) Information and services provided by connecting itself to the Internet
Connects itself to the Internet to provide various external information and services and reflects the information obtained from the contact with the owner in the succeeding
service provision.
It is able to teach simple math, distance and physics and yield a high degree of response from
the siblings. It can also detect smoke and fire and will call 911. This is a self charging, computer controlled autonomous mobile robot.
The Actron ServaTM can also act as a companion and attendant for elderly family members. It will keep track of the elderly person, remind them to take pills or a meal and alert you when something is not right. It has the ability to call the authorities and report a problem or call you when your loved one has gone astray.
The Actron ServaTM has two powered wheels on which it balances while in motion and two roller which stabilize it at rest. It is slim enough to fit througn a 30in doorway, but wide enough to stay upright on rough terrain. It gets it's power from a pair of gellcell batteries, and it's knowledge from an arsenal of cutting edge sensors. It comes with a "base station" charger, a training module and a number of spare parts.
SURVEILLANCE AIRBOT
The Actron HawkTM Multiple Purpose Flying Platform
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Flying level / performing surveillance.
Any altitude up to 1,200 feet.
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VTO & Landings on level surface.
Beacon directs plane to landing site.
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Airborne Platform Features
- Autonomous Remote Sensing using UAVs.
- Decentralised Navigation and Control of Autonomous Flight Vehicles.
- Simultaneous Localisation and Map Building for Autonomous Flight Vehicles.
- Design and Development of Rapid Prototype UAVs.
- Wind-tunnel and flight based experimental research in aerodynamics and flight performance.
- Modelling of engine/propeller performance and aircraft stability characteristics.
- High fidelity aircraft model development for simulation based control system validation.
- Trajectory optimisation and autonomous guidance for unmanned aircraft.
- Sensor fusion strategies for state estimation using multiple redundant sensors, including GPS.
- Using GPS for aircraft attitude determination.
- System Identification methods and neural networks for fault detection and reconfiguration.
- Robustness analysis of control laws in the presence of uncertain dynamics and wind gusts.
- Robust nonlinear high-performance manoeuvre tracking for autonomous aircraft.
- Autonomous safe recovery and landing of a UAV.
- Terrain Following for autonomous flight vehicles.
- Integration of available technologies into operational UAV systems.
- Real-time fight control software synthesis for UAVs.
- Design and fabrication of airframe components using advanced composite materials.
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