Results from a long-term study of a portable field robot in urban terrain

The military have a considerable amount of experience from using robots for mine clearing and bomb removal. As new technology emerges it is necessary to investigate the possibly to expand robot use. This study has investigated an Army company, specialized in urban operations, while fulfilling their tasks with the support of a PackBot Scout. The robot was integrated and deployed as an ordinary component of the company and included modifying and retraining a number of standard behaviors to include the robot. This paper reports on the following issues: evaluation of missions where the platform can be deployed, what technical improvements are the most desired, and what are the new risks introduced by use of robots? Information was gathered through observation, interviews, and a questionnaire. The results indicate the robot to be useful for reconnaissance and mapping. The users also anticipated that the robot could be used to decrease the risks of IEDs by either triggering or by neutralising them with a disruptor. The robot was further considered to be useful for direct combat if armed, and for placing explosive loads against, for example, a door. Autonomous rendering of maps, acquiring images, two-way audio, and improved sensing such as IR were considered important improvements. The robot slowing down the pace of the unit was considered to be the main risk when used in urban operations.