SSC San Diego is engaging in several engineering development thrusts aiming at expanding the force protection and force-multiplication capabilities of robotics, making use of our existing programs and platforms. One of these thrusts is marsupial robotics, others include non-lethal gun pods, tandom robots, and universal network devices.

One of our two marsupial robotics efforts involves the Mobile Detection, Assessment and Response System (MDARS) and Man-Portable Robotic System (MPRS) programs. A marsupial carrier has been developed to enable the MDARS-Exterior vehicle to carry and launch the MPRS robot. This allows MDARS-E to expand its force-protection and force- multiplication capabilities, and to enhance the ability to provide a tactical response.

This synergistic integration takes advantage of the inherent strengths of both platforms. MDARS-E is a rugged four-wheel hydrostatic-drive diesel-powered vehicle that can travel over long distances, transporting the URBOT closer to its destination. MDARS-E utilizes several sensor technologies, including active-laser, ultrasonic sonar, and stereo-vision sensors for collision avoidance.

The URBOT is a low-profile tracked robot that is controlled by an operator via an RF link. It is fully invertible, completely waterproof, and employs four video cameras. Its small size (can fit through a 24-inch manhole) and excellent maneuverability make it ideal for tunnel and sewer reconnaissance in the below-ground infrastructure associated with urban warfare. The onboard nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable batteries provide average mission durations of between 4 and 5 hours. The remote operator can communicate with the URBOT by relaying through the longer-range MDARS RF network, which uses the same integrated format for all-digital transmission of video, audio, and control data.

Our second marsupial robotics effort involves the integration of UAV and UGV. We successfully launched the 29-inch iSTAR UAV developed by Allied Aerospace from atop the MDARS-E vehicle in September of 2002. The second phase of the effort, currently underway, will demonstrate automatic landing of the UAV on the UGV. The third phase will involve the launching, re-capturing, refueling, and relaunching of the UAV. Follow-on plans call for integrating the smaller 9-inch model of iSTAR onto the URBOT.

We are also investigating future expansions of this marsupial concept to include an amphibious URBOT delivery, employing an adaptation of SAIC's Unmanned Harbor Security Vehicle.

1467 KB URBOT being deployed from MDARS-E in marsupial mode.

2605 KB View from URBOT's rear camera as it is being deployed from MDARS-E.

3479 KB URBOT being recovered by MDARS-E in marsupial mode.

1566 KB The iStar UAV being launched from the MDARS-E UGV. (Video courtesy of Allied Aerospace)

Please address all questions/comments to: robo-web@nosc.mil
Last update: 23 October 2003.