New Autonomous Robot Extends Communication Beyond Line-of-sight

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During his opening remarks, Gary Blohm, CERDEC CP&I director, emphasized all systems, manned and unmanned, need robust Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or C4ISR, capability.

"We demonstrated the power of bringing all of CERDEC together to address challenges in autonomous operations. Through teamwork, the team accomplished a great deal and has identified next steps to continue to advance autonomous capability," he said.

Autonomous robots are capable of task execution with limited supervision, and their capabilities continue to advance rapidly. Each of the directorates used their science and technology expertise to enhance the capabilities of the MDAR robots.

"We are setting a new baseline for a number of technologies used on robotic vehicles that are a step beyond teleoperated systems," Shoemaker said.

The C-TEAM focused on four major areas to include navigation, communications, command and control, and studies to identify new sensors that would provide the look-ahead range, resolution and scan rate to identify a new class of Laser Imagining and Detection Systems, or LIDARS.

"It's important to have sensor LIDARS on the vehicle to ensure minimal latency and detect obstacles in field of view for robot and ensure maneuvers around the obstacles," Shoemaker said. Each focus area will help accelerate the rate at which these systems are deployed. "The technologies demonstrated are invaluable to the Soldiers."

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