US Army unveils robotics strategy

US Army planners have unveiled a strategy paper that they hope will give rise to further ideas on how unmanned systems can empower soldiers now and in the future.

The Army Capabilities Integration Center (ARCIC) and the Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) released the jointly published 'Robotics Strategy' white paper in late March. It provides groundwork on how to better equip soldiers via robotics, according to Lieutenant General Michael Vane, director of ARCIC. At some stage, the army may establish an information technology doctrine and robot doctrine, he said, but for now it is "starting out with the idea of having a technology-enabled human".

For several years, the US has employed robotic equipment for many purposes in theatre, including reconnaissance and surveillance missions; target acquisition and identification tasks; and counter-mine/counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) operations. Army officials hope to expand robotics to perform additional soldier-executed tasks, freeing personnel from mundane or dangerous duty.

The white paper identifies three broad "critical opportunities" where robotics can help the army. Reducing risk to soldiers is the first opportunity, and it involves developing more advanced robotic systems to deal with dangerous missions like C-IED. Second is reducing soldiers' workload by robotically performing "routine tasks that do not require full-time human intervention ... such as surveillance of bases". Third is leveraging robotics for extended range or stand-off reconnaissance operations by using unattended ground sensors or advanced sensors for mobile reconnaissance.