Dec 5 2018
All-new robot a finalist for up to $429 million/3,000-unit production build expected early 2019; Will give Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Infantry and other warfighters an advanced, multi-purpose robot for the modern battlefield
Endeavor Robotics, the world’s leading provider of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), has revealed design details and images of its closely guarded Scorpion™ robot, developed for the U.S. Army’s Common Robotic System-Individual (CRS-I) program.
Announced in April, Endeavor is one of two finalists now in a run-off to provide the Army with a new multi-mission, ‘back-packable’ UGV weighing less than 25 lbs. Potentially worth more than $400 million, the contract to build up to 3,000 robots is scheduled to be awarded early next year.
“If selected for CRS-I, the Scorpion robot will be used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Infantry and other Soldiers to help our military take on tomorrow’s challenges today,” said Sean Bielat, Endeavor Robotics CEO. “In the same way every Army unit has long had a Soldier designated to carry a radio on his or her back, fighting units will soon include a robot operator with a Scorpion-like UGV carried in their rucksack.
“We’ve packed all our battle-tested expertise building unmanned vehicles into this innovative new system,” Bielat said. “Scorpion represents a powerful combination of smart technology and superior engineering.”
The rugged, lightweight Scorpion features advanced mobility and manipulation capabilities. The robot can traverse rough terrain, climb stairs, and operate in wet or submerged environments. Scorpion’s manipulator arm lifts up to 15 pounds, extends 24 inches, and rotates 360 degrees for improved reach. Operators benefit from the robot’s seven cameras to gain high-definition day/night situational awareness. Open-architecture design allows Scorpion to be configured quickly for EOD, Infantry, engineer or CBRN missions. Built of lightweight composites, the robot can be repaired in the field using 3D-printed parts.
Scorpion’s universal controller with uPoint® and MOCU-4 software allows operators to view and control other UGVs, as well as unmanned aircraft, for improved battlefield awareness. The easy-to-use touchscreen has picture-in-picture video streaming and offers multiple camera angles, plus preset poses to rapidly position the robot.
Source: https://www.flir.in/