Unmanned ground vehicles or UGV are robotic platforms that are used as an extension of human capability. This type of robot is generally capable of operating outdoors and over a wide variety of terrain, functioning in place of humans. UGVs are similar to unmanned aerial vehicle UAV technology and remotely operated vehicles. Unmanned robotics are actively being developed for both civilian and military use to perform dull, dirty, and dangerous activities. There are two general classes of unmanned ground vehicles: Teleoperated and Autonomous.
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Teleoperated UGV
A teleoperated UGV is a vehicle that is controlled by a human operator at a remote location via a communications link. All cognitive processes are provided by the operator based upon sensory feedback from either line-of-sight visual observation or remote sensory input such as video cameras. A basic example of the principles of teleoperation would be a toy remote control car. Each of the vehicles are unmanned and controlled at a distance via a wired or wireless connection while the user provides all control based upon observed performance of the vehicle. There are a wide variety of teleoperated UGVs in use today. Predominantly these vehicle are used to replace humans in hazardous situations. Examples are explosives and bomb disabling vehicles. Some examples of teleoperated UGV technology are:
- Gladiator Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle (used by the USMC)
- iRobot's PackBot
- Foster-Miller Robotics
- Remotec Andros EOD UGV
- Mesa Associates Matilda
- The Vecna Battlefield Extraction and Retrieval (BEAR)™ robot
- Guardium [1]
- Robowatch ASENDRO
Autonomous UGV
An autonomous UGV is essentially an autonomous robot but is specifically a vehicle that operates on the surface of the ground. A fully autonomous robot in the real world has the ability to:
- Gain information about the environment.
- Work for extended durations without human intervention.
- Travel from point A to point B, without human navigation assistance.
- Avoid situations that are harmful to people, property or itself
- Repair itself without outside assistance.
- Detect objects of interest such as people and vehicles.
A robot may also be able to learn autonomously. Autonomous learning includes the ability to:
- Learn or gain new capabilities without outside assistance.
- Adjust strategies based on the surroundings.
- Adapt to surroundings without outside assistance.
- Autonomous robots still require regular maintenance, as do other machines.
Some examples of autonomous UGV technology are:
- Mobile Detection Assessment and Response System (MDARS)
- Family of Integrated Rapid Response Equipment TAGS UGV
- TAGS-CX
- CMU's Crusher UGV
- Future Combat Systems MULE UGV
- Robowatch OFRO
See also
- Driverless car
- Unmanned aerial vehicle
- Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle
- Remotely operated vehicle
- JAUS, a popular message set for controlling UGVs
External links
- Artificial Vision and Intelligent Systems Lab (VisLab) at Parma University, Italy
- The Joint Unmanned Systems Test, Experimentation, and Research Site
- "How Military Robots Work"
| Future Combat Systems Subsystems |
|---|
| The Future Force Warrior | The Network |
| Manned Ground Vehicles: Mounted Combat System | Infantry Carrier Vehicle | Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon | Non-Line-of-Sight Mortar | Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicle | Command and Control Vehicle | Medical Vehicle | Recovery and Maintenance Vehicle |
| Unmanned Ground Vehicles: Armed Robotic Vehicle | Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle | Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment | Crusher | Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle |
| Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Class I UAV | Class II UAV | Class III UAV | Class IV UAV |
| Devices: Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System | Intelligent Munitions System | Unattended Ground Systems |
