The British Army has partnered with the UK’s DE&S Future Capability Group (FCG) to test the potential of Ghost Robotics’ V60 Robotic Dog.
Researchers from the FCG Expeditionary Robotics Center of Expertise and troops from the 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment led the trials on September 6.
The test focused on potential army uses of the technology, such as scouting hazardous areas, delivering mission-critical supplies, and performing combat tasks to minimize risk to military personnel.
“In the modern battlespace, robotics are becoming increasingly important in allowing soldiers to operate faster, for longer,” FCG Expeditionary Robotics Centre of Expertise Lead Engineeer Dave Swan explained.
“The Ghost V60 quadruped offers increased situational awareness for soldiers on the ground. It has the potential to act as the eyes and ears for military personnel on the frontlines – increasing accuracy in identifying and acquiring targets.”
Ghost V60 Quadruped
The Ghost V60 quadruped is operated with a control pad and can navigate urban and natural terrains.
It has a top speed of 3 meters per second (0.0019 miles per second) with a maximum payload of 10 kilograms (22 pounds), making it an effective, agile ground drone in all weather.
The robot dog is equipped for deployment from vertical aircraft by parachute. The bio-mechanisms allow its arms and legs to be replaced.
Payloads such as LIDAR (light detection and ranging) imaging systems to map 3D images can be added to the quadrupedal technology.
The V60 has cameras in the front, rear, and sides to allow a 360-degree view of the environment.
