DSEI 2019: Supacat unveils optionally manned hybrid demonstrator

UK vehicle manufacturer Supacat is showcasing its optionally manned all-terrain vehicle demonstrator at the 2019 Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition (DSEI 2019).

The optionally manned platform demonstrator is based on Supacat’s existing All Terrain Mobility Platform (ATMP) and is a joint development between the company and University of Exeter. The effort is being supported by the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), a UK government initiative to enhance collaboration between industry and academia.

Supacat has showcased an optionally manned variant of its All Terrain Mobility Platform. (Supacat)

The ATMP is a mature platform that has the following dimensions: a length of 3.44 m, a width of 1.93 m, and a height of 1.87 m. It has a ground clearance of 22 cm with a maximum gradient of 45°. A gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3,500 kg is given.

The vehicle has been updated with an all-electric drive system with electric motors and the gearbox driving out to the hubs. The original engine has been removed and replaced by batteries.

Obstacle avoidance is supported by the system’s object categorisation and response system. Path planning, navigation (follower/leader), and motion behaviour is enabled through simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM).

A terrain detection and response system has been installed to enhance mobility and optimise endurance.

“The vehicle will have real-time processing on board such as intelligent traction control for example for use in deserts and places where traction is difficult and slipping can be an issue,” Yashovardhan Katare, integrated systems engineer, told Jane’s . “Information is gained about how the wheels are responding to its environment [and] allows the operator to have exact control on the vehicle.”