Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Military's Robotic Pack Mule Gets $32M Boost

Posted by kdawson on from the now-to-develop-a-muffler dept.

coondoggie sends word that Boston Dynamics, maker of the BigDog robot we have been following for a while, has just been awarded a $32M DARPA contract to produce robotic "pack dogs" for the military. "What kind of robot will automatically follow a leader, carry 400 lbs. (182 kg) of military gear, walk 20 miles in all manner of weather, and go 24 hours without refueling? Well, we might soon find out as DARPA has awarded a $32 million contract to build its Legged Squad Support System (LS3) which uses sensors and a GPS to walk along with soldiers across all manner of terrain in any weather without pulling any muscles."

5 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. Money well spent? by phy_si_kal · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, the Afghans have mules, that cost nearly 0 and already pass where Humvee's stop. http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2009/0504/p22s01-usmi.html

    1. Re:Money well spent? by jlowery · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Oh, come on. Do you think the complexity of these robots won't lead to breakdowns and glitches? And how cheap is it to replace a robot vs. a mule? It would be cheaper to add bionics to the mule.

      --
      If you post it, they will read.
    2. Re:Money well spent? by Wyatt+Earp · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Was reading about mules in the Italian campaign (1943-44). Compared to a legged vehicle, they suck.

      There is the food aspect, vets and language. Yes, an Afghani mule for example will need a mule skinner than can speak the mule's native language, Dari or Pashtun (that covers like 90% of Afghanistan's mules).

      And if your mules are killed or if you need more, its easier to airlift in some robots than to train or find more mules.

    3. Re:Money well spent? by TheKidWho · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yes, but the robot will get much cheaper over time if they are being purchased and R&D costs are paid. I would much rather see robotics technology pushed forward then provide a handout to mule breeders.

  2. This is a weapons platform, not a pack mule. by d474 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If they wanted mules, they'd use mules. Problem is, it's kind of hard to ask your mule to scout ahead 100m, scan territory, and post an "all clear" message back to your squad, while providing live video feeds and fire support (it may even deploy it's own microUAV during maneuvers). Old No. 7 isn't going to do that for you.

    --
    Authority questions you. Return the favor.