The Most Advanced Military Robots to Watch Out for in 2021
Everyone knows that the American military has always actively adopted cutting-edge military technology, and one of its best-known inventions is the development of military robots. For many people, the thought of autonomous military robots with heavy weapons is unsettling.
However, military robots can significantly reduce the number of deaths by allowing soldiers to safely scout locations or even break through enemy positions. Some autonomous military robots are designed to support troops rather than neutralize enemies at the borders.
What a military robot is and how it works
A military robot is an independent or remotely controlled mobile robot specifically designed for military purposes, including transport, reconnaissance, rescuing comrades and even fighting enemy forces. There are four types of military robots:
- onboard military robots;
- bomb disposal robots;
- iRobot;
- unmanned ground combat vehicles.
At the most basic level, a human consists of five main components: a body structure, a muscular system for changing the body's structure, a sensory system that gathers information about the body and the environment, a power source to run the muscles and sensors, and a brain system that processes sensory information and tells the muscles what to do.
A robot consists of the same components. A typical military robot consists of a movable physical component, a motor of a certain type (the sensory system), a power source, and a computer brain controlling all the elements.
The Most Advanced Military Robots
Centaur
Centaur was originally developed by Endeavour Robotics, which was acquired by FLIR Systems in February 2019. It is a fighter with the insight to detect, confirm, mark and neutralize hazards such as landmines, unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as to maneuver forces.
Centaur is a remotely controlled, medium-sized unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). It is an open robot built on a standard chassis connected to various sensors and payloads to support current and future military missions. Explosive ordnance disposal teams use the robot for military purposes.
In November 2020, FLIR received a general order worth $32 million from the US Army. Under this deal, the company will deliver 250 Centaur robots. It is one of the best military robots of the future, supporting engineers, chemists, biologists, nuclear specialists and explosive ordnance disposal soldiers.
MUTT
The Multi-Utility Tactical Transport was developed by General Dynamics Land Systems. It is a UGV that follows soldiers and carries their equipment. MUTT is also effective at carrying wounded soldiers on the battlefield, so other soldiers do not have to worry about carrying their comrades in the middle of a military mission.
The robot is designed so that it can easily be upgraded to accommodate new payloads, new controllers and higher levels of autonomy. With a remotely controlled MUTT, service members can scout the area before humans do. It can even be used to fire weapons. The US military has contracted the company to buy 5,700 robots by 2024.
DOGO
The DOGO robot is one of the best military robots of the future, using cutting-edge military technology. It is an ultra-modern tactical combat robot armed with a 9mm Glock pistol that serves as a guard dog for soldiers on the battlefield.
It was developed by General Robots and is the ground equivalent of the ubiquitous combat drone. DOGO's advantage is that it weighs about 12 kg, making it easy to carry. Israel's police counter-terrorism unit and the Ministry of Defense's research directorate contributed to the development of this robot for counterterrorism.
It has a battery that lasts for 2-5 hours of missions. The robot has eight built-in cameras covering 360 degrees. It comes with a fully loaded Glock pistol.
SAFFiR
The Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot (SAFFiR) is a military robot 1.5 m tall and weighing 65 kg, developed by researchers at Virginia Tech. It is one of the most autonomous military robots, using cutting-edge military technology.
The ultimate goal of SAFFiR is to put out fires on military ships. The robot's only problem is that it cannot stand without a tether, although it is able to take the necessary steps and handle a firefighting hose.
To date, its movements are carried out under the direction of human operators. The unique design of the mechanism provides a superhuman range of motion for maneuvering in confined spaces.
The robot is ultimately intended to work alongside Navy officers rather than replace them. SAFFiR has infrared stereo vision sensors and a rotating laser that allows it to see through thick smoke.
THeMIS
The Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) is a multipurpose UGV designed to reduce the number of troops on the battlefield. The open robot from Milrem Robots is equipped with light or heavy machine guns, 40mm grenade launchers, 30mm autocannons and anti-tank missile systems.
The robot consists of a self-stabilizing remotely controlled weapons system that provides high accuracy over large areas. It can operate around the clock. Nine countries have acquired THeMIS, seven of which are NATO members.
