A military robot can help troops on the field. There are many options, including the BigDog and Spot as well as Vision 60. Onyx Industries' NAUT may be another option. The ABMS exercise was a collaboration between military and industry teams, and took place in 30 locations around the country.
Spot
Spot is a military robot-dog, but there are concerns about its use in war. For one thing, it is not safe, and it could cause damage. That being said, Boston Dynamics, the company that created Spot, says it has clear policies against weaponizing the dog. The company has also been considering banning military customers from using Spot as a weapon.
DARPA funded a project that developed a robotic dog to transport military equipment. BigDog was born in 2003. Boston Dynamics released the first footage of Spot in action in 2008
BigDog
The military robotic dog BigDog was developed by Boston Dynamics in 1995 with DARPA funding. Designed as a pack animal, it was three feet long and 2.5 feet tall. Powered by a one-cylinder go-kart engine, BigDog can hike and climb in rough terrain and carry 340 pounds. It was initially intended to carry soldiers. However, noise from the engine caused the project to be abandoned.
BigDog is controlled by a human operator. The robot is controlled by the human operator via an IP radio. The control unit is mounted inside a single vest and includes a radio, 900Mhz broadcast antenna, steering controller interface, and head mounted display unit. This allows BigDog's human operator to operate it and give operational data. Robots can also be programmed to follow human commands, by following the path of objects detected.
Vision 60
A robotics company is now able to sell a military robot-dog. Ghost Robotics Vision 60 models offer advanced video capabilities as well as 14 sensors that allow for autonomous missions. They can run up to three hours on a single charge. A remote-operated gun is also available to the robots. These capabilities allow the dogs to perform intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions in real time.
Ghost Robotics is a Philadelphia-based startup specializing in legged robots. The Vision 60 military robotic dog is being developed. It was used previously in U.S military service, helping to maintain a security perimeter at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Aside from patrolling the perimeter of a base, the robotic dog can accompany troops in the field.
Onyx Industries' NAUT
Onyx Industries showed its new military robot dog at a Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa. The company says the NAUT can be used to support military operations, such as raids or deep behind enemy lines. It is also capable of detecting mines and other hazards.
The NAUT weighs only 0.9kg, even without a battery. The exterior is made from 7075-grade aluminum. It has a secure wireless connection that can withstand shocks and is resistant to damage. It has a range up to 2.4 km, and an autonomous management system. It can be used on any IP67-rated platform.