A recent collaboration between Rapid Equipping Force and the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence brought together solutions from  Segway Robotics,  DRS Technologies and 5D Robotics to perform a comprehensive ‘lighten a soldier’s load’ evaluation at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. The robot’s mission was to follow and keep up with a squad while transporting a heavy payload and navigating a lengthy distance of varied terrain.

The assessment tested the Segway^® RMP (Robotics Mobility Platform) 440 LE’s ability to carry 200 pounds of critical equipment including soldiers’ packs, sandbags, food and water and the ability of 5D Robotics’ Behavior Engine™ software to direct the platform.

Segway’s RMP440 LE

Segway’s RMP440 LE is a rugged, all-terrain, four-wheel drive mobility platform. Its design empowers developers to easily integrate their own equipment on top of the platform and build a customized application to meet specific needs. Click here to download a spec sheet.

5D’s Behavior Engine or “Follow Me” Technology

5D’s “follow me” technology acknowledges that like humans, robots need assistance to find their way. Once a human empowers a robot, they are capable of executing a multitude of tasks reliably and effectively.

5D’s solution emphasizes rapid, reactive, biologically inspired behavioral responses as opposed to the GPS, mapping, planning and continuous communication relied on by competitive solutions. It uses an innovative intelligent tag approach to guide interaction between robots and humans as well as between robots and other vehicles or objects.

5D’s Safety Commitment

1. Robot motion should be fast, responsive and graceful

2. Robot motion should be predictable and reliable to engender trust

3. Robots should never touch the human body unless explicitly told to do so

The Assessment

The Segway RMP440 LE was fully loaded with equipment and included a generator that could be used to charge soldiers’ equipment. Over the course of 9 hours, the robot successfully followed the squad as well as traversed 16 miles of varied terrain without additional fuel or battery power. In fact, the robot maintained 33% of its generator fuel and 50% of its battery life.

The Evaluation

Soldier evaluations noted that the robot kept up with the patrol throughout the mission, was easy to understand and natural to use. Soldiers also valued the robot’s ability to carry a considerable amount of heavy gear.

Read Complete Coverage

Please click here to download a PDF of the article Keep on Running – 5D Robotics Tests Endurance Through Human-Robot Interaction Military Tests from 5D Robotics’ website.

Editorial Note

DRS Technologies’ Adaptive Mission Payload (AMP) kit and systems integration with the Segway RMP440 LE was originally tested at Fort Benning during the JIEDDO’s Endurance Challenge in June 2012. Click here  to view the blog post Adaptive Mission Payload Solution Wins Second Pace in JIDDEO’s Endurance Challenge.

See the RMP440 LE in Action

Stay Connected

Stay connected with Segway Robotics by checking out the the RMP Customer Forum, visiting the Segway Robotics website to sign up for our newsletter and RSS feed or following us on Twitter.

Contact Us

If you are interested in learning more about the RMP440 LE or 5D Robotics Technology, contact us today.

Filed under: RMP440 LE/SE, Segway, Video, 5D Robotics, all terrain, Battery Life, Behavior Engine, Behavioral Response, event, Follow Me, following, Fort Leonard Wood, human-robot interaction, interaction, Military, mobile robot, Mobility Platform, off-road, outdoor, RMP, RMP440 LE, robot, robot platform, robotics, robotics mobility platform, Safety, Segway, Segway Inc., Segway RMP, Segway Robotics, Segway Robotics Mobility Platforms, Spec Sheet, Technology, UGV, Unmanned Ground Vehicle, Video

Intro

ARTI is Segway’s latest Robotics Mobility Platform (RMP) prototype. Its name (an abbreviation of the word ‘articulate’) was derived from the platform’s articulated steering method. ARTI is based on the same core propulsion and interface hardware that is standard in the rest of the RMP line, but was further developed by Segway’s engineers to become a functional prototype with exceptional capabilities.

Overview

The ARTI platform utilizes a two degree of freedom joint to permit roll and yaw rotation. This flexibility enables the platform to traverse aggressive terrain while continually maintaining four points of contact with the ground. It is the first Segway RMP platform that does not have the ability to turn in place. However, it does feature a 4.5 foot turning radius, which enables it to turn around in an area smaller than one lane of a standard road.

Capabilities

ARTI’s articulated steering enables it to carry heavier payloads over more aggressive terrain as compared to our similar sized skid-steer platforms. In fact, payload is now limited only by the structural load limits of the gearboxes, wheels and tires instead to being dictated by the torque required to overcome the friction forces associated with skid-steering. ARTI is capable of quietly traveling longer distances with more payload than any other four wheel platform Segway has ever developed.

Features

The platform leverages the latest RMP Central Controller Architecture, which allows simple and intuitive communication with the platform over Ethernet, CAN or USB. Users can set a variety of performance parameters including acceleration and deceleration rate limits as well as turning radius. An optional integrated auxiliary power module provides DC power for task specific sensors, radios and other equipment and payload items. ARTI’s batteries can be fully charged in less than 3 hours via Segway’s new RMP external fast charger.

Availability

Segway is currently taking orders for ARTI platforms. It is important to note that ARTI is a prototype and does not yet have the level of finish that our production released commercial models do. However, if customer demand warrants it — and we expect that it may — this prototype will likely become part of our standard RMP product line.

Would you like to stay connected with Segway Robotics? You can — by checking out the RMP Customer Forum, visiting Segway Robotics to sign up for our newsletter and RSS feed or following us on Twitter.

Filed under: ARTI, Customers, Prototypes, Segway, all terrain, ARTI, Central Controller Architecture, mobile robot, off-road, outdoor, research, RMP, robot, robot platform, robotics, robotics mobility platform, robotics research, Segway Inc., Segway RMP, Segway Robotics, Segway Robotics Mobility Platforms

Segway Inc. recently brought on Manu Systems AG, located in Regensburg Germany, as a European reseller of its Robotics Mobility Platforms (RMPs).  Manu Systems AG is well known as one the region’s leading value-added resellers of robotic hand systems, humanoid robots and other robotics mobility systems.

“We are pleased to be working with Segway. Our mission is to provide a one-stop shopping experience for service robotics researchers,” said Marco Reichel, Chairman of the Management Board, Manu Systems. “Our offering of Segway’s RMPs has been very well received by the European research market.”

Manu Systems AG currently offers Segway’s RMP 50 Omni and 50 XL, RMP 200 and 200 ATV, RMP 400, 400 Omni and RMP 440. For more information on these platforms, please visit Manu Systems AG’s website or contact the company by phone: +49 941 9459 280 or e-mail.

Filed under: Customers, Segway, all terrain, autonomous mobile robot, balancing robot, Europe, Germany, humanoid robots, Manu Systems AG, mobile robot, off-road, outdoor, RMP, RMP 200, RMP 200 ATV, RMP 400, RMP 400 Omi, RMP 50 Omni, RMP 50 XL, robot platform, robotic hand systems, robotics, Robotics Mobility Platforms, Segway, Segway Inc., Segway RMP, Segway Robotics, Segway Robotics Mobility Platforms, UGV, unmanned vehicle, X440

Sharpshooters from 100 yards out

Marathon Targets (http://www.marathon-targets.com/) successfully demonstrated their smart target system during a live fire demonstration at Quantico Marine Base. Marathon’s systems are developed on both the Segway RMP200 and RMP400. To view a short video of the demonstration, click here.

For more information on the full line of Segway’s robotic platforms, please visit http://rmp.segway.com/.

Marathon Targets developed on Segway RMP200

Marathon Targets developed on Segway RMP400

Filed under: Customers, RMP 200, RMP 200 News, RMP 400, RMP 400 News, all terrain, autonomous mobile robot, balancing robot, development, event, human-robot interaction, manipulator, mobile robot, navigation, outdoor, RMP 200, RMP 400, robot platform, Segway, Segway Robotics, unmanned vehicle

The Segway RMP 400‘s capabilities of being a true multi-payload, open interface and robust UGV are on display at FPED VIII, the eighth Force Protection Equipment Demonstration at the Stafford Regional Airport in Stafford, Virginia. Vendors Burchfield Automation, Air Force Research Lab and Technical Support Working Group each are demonstrating the RMP 400. If attending FPED VIII, please stop by these vendor’s booth for an up close look at the RMP 400‘s capabilities.

Filed under: Customers, all terrain, FPED VIII, mobile robot, off-road, RMP, RMP 400, robot, robot platform, robotics, Segway, Segway Robotics, tradeshow, UGV, unmanned vehicle

The Segway RMP 400 is our most powerful mobile robot platform. Powered by four lithium-ion battery packs and rolling on four ATV tires, the Segway RMP 400 is a mobile workhorse capable of carrying up to 400 lbs for long distances, over challenging terrain.

All Segway unmanned ground vehicles are designed for easy integration by scientists and engineers and are the ideal starting point for applications including research and development, industrial automation, security, and defense.

For more information or to request a quote, click here.

These images were taken during the 2010 Robotics Rodeo at Ft. Benning.

Filed under: RMP 400, RMP 400 News, Uncategorized, all terrain, autonomous mobile robot, electric, event, mobile platform, mobile robot, off-road, offroad, outdoor, RMP, RMP 400, robot, robot platform, robotics, robotics research, Segway, Segway Robotics, UGV, unmanned vehicle

Check out this video showing Segway’s RMP line of mobile robot platforms including 2WD balancing robots and all-terrain 4WD UGVs. Segway’s patented propulsion system technologies provide unmatched power and reliability to propel mobile robots.

Filed under: RMP 400, RMP50, all terrain, mobile robot, off-road, RMP, RMP 200, RMP 400, robot platform, UGV, Video