Danger Room has an exclusive look at the successor to SWORDS, some of the only armed robots operating in Iraq. (Although according to DR, none of the SWORDS bots have yet fired a shot in combat.)
MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System) features new software controls, which allow the robot’s driver to select fire and no-fire zones. The idea is keep the robots from accidentally shooting a flesh-and-blood American. A mechanical range fan also keeps MAARS’ gun pointed away from friendly positions.The robot is also equipped with a GPS transmitter, so it can be seen on — and tap into — the American battlefield mapping programs, just like tanks and Humvees. These “Blue Force Trackers” have been credited with dramatically reducing friendly-fire incidents during the Iraq war. MAARS comes with an extra fail-safe, which won’t allow it to fire directly at its own control unit.
Danger Room has more pictures and video. And words!
New Armed Robot Groomed for War [Danger Room]
