Growing bomb threats spur robot development

WASHINGTON — A robotics developer with links to the Israeli military said it is launching development of an upgraded bomb-disposal robot.

InRob Tech Ltd. (Las Vegas), which develops wireless control systems for unmanned ground vehicles, said Tuesday (Nov. 22) it will begin developing a larger version of its bomb-disposal robot. The beefed up system will have a 130-lb. lifting capacity and will include an arm with at least five degrees of freedom.

Other planned features include a turret that can rotate 360 degrees and will be equipped with a pan-and-tilt camera. The new robot will also be able to climb stairs, Tsur said.

A control panel will be connected to the vehicle either through a wireless link or a cable. The initial design will be battery powered, but a planned fuel system will add lifting capacity and range.

InRob, which also has a subsidiary in Israel, said it works with the Israeli Defense Forces, Israeli police and other security units.

The company has for several years offered a smaller bomb-disposal robot called the Hornet MK-5. "Our market research has also pointed to a real need for a larger system," Tsur said in a statement.

EETimes.com - Growing bomb threats spur robot development