Event intended to find innovative robotic systems to support military operations
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (September 18, 2009) – ABB Robotics, a leading global industrial robot manufacturer with North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, participated in the US Army’s first “Robotics Rodeo” August 31 – September 4, 2009 at Fort Hood, Texas. Fort Hood III Corps and the Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) hosted the event, which brought together robotics experts and companies from across the country to find innovative robotic solutions and encourage the development of autonomous systems to support the military’s operational needs and troops in combat.
ABB featured its Robotic Retrieval and Transport (RAT) concept vehicle in the Extravaganza portion of the event, which featured booths and demonstrations allowing government representatives and soldiers to review the latest innovations in robotic technology for potential military use. The Robotic RAT vehicle consists of an IRB 6620 industrial robot mounted to the flat bed of a specially equipped Ford F250 pick-up truck. The IRB 6620 is one of the strongest and most agile of ABB’s line of robots typically used in manufacturing, material handling and numerous other industrial applications. The vehicle is able to traverse the rough, undulated terrain often found in desert locations. While the military procures unique robots specially designed for defense requirements, the ABB concept vehicle demonstrated COTS (commercially-off-the-shelf) robot and tool changer technologies to promote dual-use opportunities.
Read more .... Press Release- Robotics Rodeo (Press release, doc, 0,06 MB)