The Department of Defense’s FY 2019 budget allocates an estimated $9.6 billion for unmanned systems and robotics, a 28% increase from FY2018’s budget. Automation and AI technology not only impacts commercial businesses, but security and defense sectors are also benefiting from the use of unmanned systems. The DoD is implementing AI robotics for every area of military operations: air, sea, land, space, and the evolving cyber domain. Campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan have made wide use of UGV’s and UAV’s, and automated AI and robotics, such as our tactical UxV control system Kinesis, can help efficiency for military operations and reduce risk to personnel.
The Navy’s Autonomous Firefighting Robot
The Navy has made use of unmanned systems’ ability to work in environments that are dangerous for humans. SAFFiR is a robot designed to reduce human exposure to fires aboard ships. SAFFiR is a humanoid robot that can navigate crawl spaces or compartments that would be unsafe for a real human to enter. Instead of constructing the typical wheeled robot, the Navy has made a robot that has the range of motion similar to a person’s, and it has the dexterity to operate hoses and other objects with fine precision. SAFFiR also has the ability to see through heavy smoke. The SAFFiR project is just one example of how the military can take advantage of the benefits robotics offers.
Machine Learning and AI Robotics
Artificial intelligence dates back to the 1960s where NASA used guidance computers for lunar missions, and while these first computers were outrageously large and primitive compared to modern computers, they could still perform calculations faster than humans.
Decades later, modern-day computers have improved in several areas including edge computing, the ability to operate AI/ML algorithms, and cloud-based learning systems for complex situations. Tomahawk’s KxM, a Kinesis expansion model, is an edge processing computer that allows machine learning capabilities to be utilized on robotic systems in the field. This allows for more computing capabilities, including the ability to model and simulate situations and environments in order to plan missions. Users can also train AI systems to complete certain tasks and control robotic systems through teleoperation.
To learn more about our robotic-based solutions and how they can improve security and defense, visit tomahawkrobotics
Author | Emily Forbes
An Entrepreneur, Mother & A passionate tech writer in the technology industry!
Email:- forbesemily@yandex.com
