PackBot

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PackBot being demonstrated by the French military

PackBot is a series of military robots by iRobot. More than 2000 were used in Iraq and Afghanistan.[1] PackBots were the first robots to enter the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[2] As of November 2014, the U.S. Army is refurbishing 224 iRobot 510 robots.[3]

Current PackBot 510 variants

File:US Navy 090624-N-4649C-002 A Sailor operates a PackBot explosive detecting robot during explosive handling training at U.S. Coast Guard Station Quillayute River, Wash.jpg
A U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician trains on iRobot's PCC, one of the remote control operation devices used to operate the Packbot.

PackBot 510 is the current base model. It uses a videogame-style hand controller to make it more familiar to young operators. Configurations include:

  • PackBot 510 with EOD Bomb Disposal Kit designed for improvised explosive device identification and disposal.
  • PackBot 510 with Fast Tactical Maneuvering Kit designed for infantry troops tasked with improvised explosive device inspection. This is a lighter weight robot.
  • PackBot 510 with First Responder Kit designed to help SWAT teams and other first responders with situational awareness.
  • PackBot 510 with HazMat Detection Kit collects air samples to detect chemical and radiological agents.
  • PackBot 510 with Fido utilizes the Fido Explosives Detector from ICx Technologies as a payload in order to "sniff" out explosive materials. With the Fido, the PackBot now has the capability of locating explosive devices and subsequently disarming them using on-board robotic capabilities.[4]
  • PackBot 510 with REDOWL Sniper Detection Kit utilizes the Acoustic Direction Finder from BioMimetic Systems to localize gunshots with azimuth, elevation, and range.[5]
  • RC2 - U.S. Marine Corps version of the 510 PackBot with a longer and stronger arm, more cameras, communications variations, and better track propulsion.[6]

Previous PackBot variants

  • PackBot Scout is the basic configuration. It has five payload bays for assignable purposes and can be dropped from a height of six feet (1.83m) onto concrete without being damaged. The Packbot scout version weighs about 40 pounds (18 kg).
  • PackBot Explorer has a camera head equipped with multiple cameras, laser pointers, audio and other sensors.
  • PackBot EOD (explosive-ordnance disposal) can be controlled by radio or wired control to handle situations involving potential explosives, thereby reducing the risk of personal injury.

See also

References

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  2. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. US Army Works Toward Single Ground Robot - Defensenews.com, 15 November 2014
  4. http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/issues/2006/November/RDcommand.htm
  5. http://www.irobot.com/sp.cfm?pageid=314
  6. Marines happily recycle Army bots - MarineCorpstimes.com, 19 April 2014

External links


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