Robots for No Man's Land

Posted by michael on Friday January 30, 2004 @10:56AM from the you-have-ten-seconds-to-comply dept.

Roland Piquepaille writes "The Stryker is an 18-ton infantry vehicle, already deployed by the U.S. army in places such as Iraq. Right now, it has human drivers. But that will no longer be the case by 2010, when it will be driven by a robot. Today, the Stryker has a 'ladar' scanner, which emits 400,000 laser and radar beams and snaps 120 images every second. 'Its brain -- a 40-pound computer system tucked inside its body -- processes that data, and makes instant judgments on how to act and where to go.' These robots are developed by General Dynamics Robotic Systems, Inc. (GDRSI), which received $185 million last November to build between 30 and 60 automated-navigation prototypes to be used in all kinds of military vehicles. This overview contains more details, references and photographs."

3 of 391 comments (clear)

Yes, but will it fit on a frickin' shark? by Tackhead · 2004-01-30 10:57 · Score: 5, Funny

> the Stryker has a 'ladar' scanner, which emits 400,000 laser and radar beams and snaps 120 images every second.
Yes, but will it fit on a frickin' shark? Is that too much to ask?
Obligatory quote by senatorpjt · 2004-01-30 11:00 · Score: 4, Funny

The wars of the future will not be fought on the battlefield or at sea. They will be fought in space, or possibly on top of a very tall mountain. In either case, most of the actual fighting will be done by small robots. And as you go forth today remember always your duty is clear: To build and maintain those robots. Thank you.
40-pound computer system by jeffmock · 2004-01-30 11:01 · Score: 5, Funny

"Its brain -- a 40-pound computer system tucked inside its body --"
You know it's got to be powerful when compute power is measured in pounds...
jeff