Military Robots: The New Iron Man
We’re familiar with the Iron Man suit, a humanoid exoskeleton used for transport, defense, and ballistics. While far from having a legion of Iron Man suits, the US military has made use of robotics in a myriad of fields — everything from search and rescue to weapons systems. The versatility and diversity within the field of robotics allows the military to use robots in and out of active warzones.
Search and Rescue
One use the military has for robots is for search and rescue. Drones are uniquely equipped for search and rescue missions — they can search an area quickly and precisely. A drone can search an area seventy times faster than humans. It takes twenty-five humans thirty-five hours to search the same amount of area that it takes a drone thirty minutes to search. Speed is an important factor in search and rescue missions; the person must be found as quickly as possible. Drones can search an area quickly, and they are also able to precisely search an area. They are more precise than human searches, and via a video camera, a drone can transmit video to humans far away. Because they are fast and precise, drones are currently in use for search and rescue missions. Drones are directly responsible for saving at least one person per week because of their unique abilities suited for search and rescue.
Weaponry
Another use the military has for robots is weaponry. Many robots are used to carry and even launch weaponry. For example, the MAARS military robot can be equipped with a multitude of weapons, from lethal machine guns to non-lethal lasers. The Gladiator is another robot that can carry and use weapons. It resembles a small tank, and it has a maximum speed of about 10 miles per hour. However, this robot makes up for its lack of speed with its heavy armor. It has an armored hull and can carry a lot of weaponry, including machine guns and grenade launchers. Instead of sending soldiers out to the front lines, the military utilizes robots equipped with weapons for fighting.
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is a vital part of many military missions, but it is often dangerous. By enlisting robots to complete these risky jobs, the military does not put humans in danger. The Guardbot robot, while initially designed for a mission to Mars, is used to gather information by the military. It is equipped with a powerful camera and is built to withstand extreme conditions: everything from snow, sand, and even water. The Black Hornet is another robot that has been used by the military for reconnaissance. The Black Hornet is a small robot with the ability to fly. As a result, it can fly and surveille an area far away without being noticed. The Black Hornet live streams video to a user, allowing the user to see elements of the battlefield.
Transportation
Robots are also used to assist with the transportation of troops and materials in the military. The Multi-Utility Tactical Transport, or MUTT, is used to transport supplies for the military, saving them time and work. iRobot and John Deere teamed up to make the R-Gator an autonomous robot that also transports supplies for the military. It is capable of going up 45 degree slopes and climbing stairs, due to its unique shape, and it can carry up to 150 pounds of materials. Both the R-Gator and the MUTT lighten the burden of carrying supplies, making soldiers’ lives easier.
From transportation and surveillance to search and rescue and fighting, robots have many uses in the military. Automation is both effective and lightens the burden on boots on the ground soldiers. Whether or not the use of these robots is ethical is up for debate, but we’re sure to see more innovation in military robotics in the future.
