Bomb disposal unit is designed for defence and security applications

Engineers are finalising a prototype bomb disposal robot that they claim will be lighter and more cost effective than current models on the market.

Measuring around 72 cm in length and 35 cm in width, the robot should weigh in at less than 50KG and achieve speeds of up to eight miles per hour, according to its makers.

“Particularly if the unit is disassembled – we can take the turret and batteries off it – it is much more portable than the competing units,” said Dr Steve Woodhead of Greenwich university, who is working on the project alongside industrial partner NIC instruments. “That means we can get it into the theatre faster, and also that we can get it to places you can’t easily get a large vehicle to.”

The robot has cameras on board, which relay images back to the operator via a handheld control, and employs a versatile gripper that can carry and manipulate delicate items.

In addition, the robot includes nuclear, biological and chemical weapons sensors.

Key customers for the finished product are expected to include the defence and security forces of several EU countries.

“Because of its relative portability, you can put it in the boot of a car and drive it around, so it does lend itself to civilian applications rather more than some of the larger competing units that require a dedicated vehicle to drive them around in,” said Woodhead.

Particular scenarios that the robot is designed for include examining improvised explosive devices, approaching suspect vehicles and opening the doors to investigate, as well as the remote searching of buildings and aircraft.

The final prototype is likely to be finished within the next two months, after which it will enter field trials and a demonstration for an interested civilian EU client.

Sourced from "the Engineer" magazine 

BY ANDREW CZYZEWSKI