A UK team is developed a new bomb disposal robot that it claims brings new innovations to the bomb disposal equipment marketplace.
A joint University of Greenwich-NIC Instruments team have built a lightweight, remotely operated robot controlled by a wireless device. The robot can climb stairs and even open doors.
Its makers say the robot is suitable for a wide variety of civilian security applications and environments. It's already secured its first customer, the British Army, which will deploy it to Afgahnistan.
The manufacturers believe their robot has many advantages over other bomb disposal equipment. Measuring only 72cm by 35cm and weighs 48 kilograms, they say it is "much lighter and more flexible than traditional bomb disposal units", meaning it's easier for security forces to use and cheaper to operate.
Its makers say this makes the robot particularly suitable for civilian security agencies.
"Because of its relative portability, you can put it in the boot of a car and drive it around, so it does lend itself to civilian applications rather more than some of the larger competing units that require a dedicated vehicle to drive them around in," Dr Steve Woodhead from the University of Greenwich told The Engineer.
The robot (pictured) is equipped with a wireless device and on-board cameras that enables it to be remotely controlled by hand-held equipment from several hundred metres away. Its sensors have the capacity to detect nuclear, biological and chemical materials, and it has a gripper enabling it to carry and move delicate items. It can move at a speed of eight miles per hour.
The robot is the result of a two-year collaboration between NIC Instruments and the University of Greenwich in a Knowledge Transfer Partnership , with the university providing expertise in electronic systems design and software engineering.
Pictured with the robot are, from left, Waqar Amin (Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate), Steve Wisbey (NIC Instruments) and Steve Woodhead (University of Greenwich). Image courtesy University of Greenwich.
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