New robots do jobs with little human direction

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New robots do jobs with little human direction
By Kris Osborn - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Nov 7, 2009 14:18:49 EST

The Army plans within 18 months to field robots that will do some tasks without direct human control, such as finding explosives and transporting equipment, service officials said.

The robots will turn corners, clear dangerous areas, capture images with a “persistent stare” and beam them back, and follow convoys without being tele-operated as they are now, officials said.

“There is a push toward increased intelligence and autonomy,” said Jeff Jaczkowski, deputy project manager for the Army’s robotic systems project office. The intent is to build intelligent behavior and semi-autonomous or automatic controls.

Robots that can clear caves and roads or deal with explosive ordnance will be able to operate alongside infantry units, move their mechanical arms and beam back images from forward locations without needing specific human direction.

“We have a whole robotics strategy, which describes 32 tasks we could see robots being useful doing,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Vane, director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center.


Rest of Rise Of The Machines technology at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/army_robots_110709w/