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2024-09-09 Science & Technology
Robots on the Front Lines of Future Urban Warfare
Direct Translation via Google Translate.

Text taken from the Telegram channel of darpaandcia

[ColonelCassad] In the post “War in the City: How DARPA is Preparing for Fighting in Megacities” we wrote about the projects developed by DARPA for warfare in urban environments. We would like to introduce you to one of them, called the Subterranean Challenge (SubT). DARPA (the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) launched this project to develop innovative technologies for rapid mapping, navigation, and search in complex underground environments. Particular emphasis was placed on military applications and the study of urban underground communications. Key aspects of the project:

1. Military applications:

• Development of systems for conducting reconnaissance operations in potentially hazardous underground environments.
• The ability to send robotic groups ahead of fighters for rapid search and mapping.
• Reducing risks to personnel during underground operations.

2. Urban communications:

• Study of complex underground infrastructures, including multi-level parking lots, metro stations, technical tunnels.
• Development of systems for navigation in complex urban layouts covering several floors and blocks.
• Interaction with various technical systems of urban underground infrastructure.

Technical requirements for the developed systems include:

• Autonomous navigation without GPS in conditions of limited visibility.
• Performance of sensors in extreme conditions (darkness, dust, fog).
• Reliable communication with limited passage of radio signals.
• Overcoming complex obstacles (narrow passages, vertical shafts).
• Endurance for long-term operation (from 30 to 180 minutes).
• Detection and geolocation of objects of interest (electrical panels, leaks, etc.).

The project was organized as a competition between teams with a total funding of about $40 million. Key participants: iRobot Defense Holdings, Michigan Technological University, FLIR Unmanned Ground Systems and Scientific Systems.

The DARPA Subterranean Challenge has opened a new chapter in military technology, focused on the development of underground urban spaces. This is not just a technological competition - it is preparation for real scenarios of future conflicts.

The systems being developed can radically change the tactics of urban warfare. Imagine a squad of robots silently exploring the underground communications of a metropolis, creating detailed 3D maps and detecting hidden threats - all without risking the lives of soldiers. Such technologies will give a huge tactical advantage.

Posted by badanov 2024-09-09 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11150 views ]  Top

#1 Bowing to the DARPA gods. Paying to develop systems and capabilities already developed and in use elsewhere.

Forbes Nov 2023 - How Israeli Drones Will Lead The Attack On Gaza Tunnels
Posted by Besoeker 2024-09-09 01:40||   2024-09-09 01:40|| Front Page Top

#2 How our military can deter foreign conflicts and win future wars
Posted by Skidmark 2024-09-09 09:28||   2024-09-09 09:28|| Front Page Top

#3 Chinese robo-helper can clean, cook, even shoot hoops
Posted by Skidmark 2024-09-09 09:32||   2024-09-09 09:32|| Front Page Top

#4 Robots on the Front Lines...

Until personal EMP Guns are a thing.
Posted by mossomo 2024-09-09 13:00||   2024-09-09 13:00|| Front Page Top

#5 Field test it in LA or NYC. I expect they'll find it up on bricks and disassembled by morning.
Posted by Procopius2k 2024-09-09 16:21||   2024-09-09 16:21|| Front Page Top

#6 ^How are all these AIs - which been popping up - doing?
Posted by Grom the Reflective 2024-09-09 17:43||   2024-09-09 17:43|| Front Page Top

#7 #3 Chinese robo-helper can clean, cook, even shoot hoops

Not to mention shoot, clean, and cook dogs.

Posted by Pancho Poodle8452 2024-09-09 22:21||   2024-09-09 22:21|| Front Page Top

09:27 Warthog
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