Robot hops over wall

A fun video:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8253721.stm

[T]he Precision Urban Hopper can use a piston-actuated "leg" to launch it over obstacles such as walls or fences.

Building motivation into AI

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/23354/page1/

Not a terribly convincing argument:

Indeed, a really advanced intelligence, improperly motivated, might realize the impermanence of all things, calculate that the sun will burn out in a few billion years, and decide to play video games for the remainder of its existence, concluding that inventing an even smarter machine is pointless.

Pakistan's UAVs

http://blog.taragana.com/n/paf-using-unmanned-drones-in-war-exercise-160619/

“PAF is employing for the first time in the recent drills pilotless UAV drone planes to target the enemies. It was due to the precision of PAF planning that common people were not among the casualties,” Air Vice Marshal Hasan said

Tube launched UAVs might be only 2 years off

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/08/airforce_tube_UAV_083009w/

The Tube Launched Expendable UAV is no more than 3 feet long, weighs only 15 pounds, can fly for an hour and gives either a pilot or a ground unit the option to see over that next ridge without attracting much attention, according to a fact sheet provided by L3 Geneva Aerospace. The Air Force refused to talk about the aircraft.

The UAV would be fired off the wing or out the back hatch, he said. After the launch from a manned aircraft, a payload operator inside the plane would fly the UAV.

[L3 Flight Tech Manager] Cahill said he expected an aircraft to carry more than one UAV to give aircrews and ground commanders the additional flexibility to follow multiple targets. A tracker card installed inside the UAV will also make it easier for operators to track moving vehicles, Cahill said.

IROS Program out

https://ras.papercept.net/conferences/scripts/rtf/IROS09_ProgramAtAGlanceWeb.html

Papers in multi-robot or distributed robotics sessions:

MoIVT12

Mills 6
Distributed Robotics: Traffic Control and Exploration Regular Sessions

Chair: Chaimowicz, Luiz Federal Univ. of Minas Gerais
Co-Chair: de Almeida, Anibal Univ. of Coimbra

16:00-16:20, Paper MoIVT12.1


Multi-Robot Exploration and Fire Searching
Marjovi, Ali Univ. of Coimbra
Nunes, João Gonçalo Inst. of Systems and Robotics (ISR) - Univ. of Coimbra
Marques, Lino Univ. of Coimbra
de Almeida, Anibal Univ. of Coimbra

16:20-16:40, Paper MoIVT12.2


Predictive Constrained Gain Scheduling for UGV Path Tracking in a Networked Control System
Klingenberg, Bryan North Carolina State Univ.
Ojha, Unnati North Carolina State Univ.
Chow, Mo-Yuen North Carolina State Univ.

16:40-17:00, Paper MoIVT12.3


Cluster Space Collision Avoidance for Mobile Two-Robot Systems
Kitts, Christopher Santa Clara Univ.
Stanhouse, Kyle Santa Clara Univ.
Chindaphorn, Piya Santa Clara Univ.

17:00-17:20, Paper MoIVT12.4


Traffic Control for a Swarm of Robots: Avoiding Group Conflicts
Marcolino, Leandro Federal Univ. of Minas Gerais
Chaimowicz, Luiz Federal Univ. of Minas Gerais

17:20-17:40, Paper MoIVT12.5


Traffic Control for a Swarm of Robots: Avoiding Target Congestion
Marcolino, Leandro Federal Univ. of Minas Gerais
Chaimowicz, Luiz



WeIVT12

Mills 6
Distrubuted Robotics: Sensing Regular Sessions

Co-Chair: Carpin, Stefano Univ. of California, Merced

16:00-16:20, Paper WeIVT12.1


Image-Based Mapping and Navigation with Heterogeneous Robots
Erinc, Gorkem Univ. of California Merced
Carpin, Stefano Univ. of California, Merced

16:20-16:40, Paper WeIVT12.2


Prioritized Sensor Detection Via Dynamic Voronoi-Based Navigation
Cortez, Andres Univ. of New Mexico
Fierro, Rafael Univ. of New Mexico
Wood, John Univ. of New Mexico

16:40-17:00, Paper WeIVT12.3


Surveillance Strategies for Target Detection with Sweep Lines
Kolling, Andreas Univ. of California Merced
Carpin, Stefano Univ. of California, Merced

17:00-17:20, Paper WeIVT12.4


A Unified Methodology for Multi-Robot Passive & Active Sensing
Kosmatopoulos, Elias Tech. Univ. of Crete
Doitsidis, Lefteris Tech. Univ. of Crete
Aboudolas, Konstantinos Tech. Univ. of Crete

17:20-17:40, Paper WeIVT12.5


Collective Transport of Robots: Coherent, Minimalist Multi-Robot Leader-Following
Gupta, Megha Univ. of Southern California
Das, Jnaneshwar Univ. of Southern California
Vieira, Marcos Univ. of Southern California
Heidarsson, Hordur Kristinn Univ. of Southern California
Vathsangam, Harshvardhan Univ. of Southern California
Sukhatme, Gaurav

WeIVT13

Mills 7
Multi-Robot Cooperation Regular Sessions

Chair: Clark, C. M. California Pol. State Univ.

16:00-16:20, Paper WeIVT13.1


Multi-Robot Team Coordination through Roles, Positionings and Coordinated Procedures
Lau, Nuno Aveiro Univ.
Seabra Lopes, Luís Univ. de Aveiro
Corrente, Gustavo Univ. de Aveiro
Filipe, Nelson Univ. de Aveiro

16:20-16:40, Paper WeIVT13.2


Altruistic Task Allocation Despite Unbalanced Relationships within Multi-Robot Communities
Morton, Ryan Cal Pol. - San Luis Obispo
Bekey, George Univ. of Southern California
Clark, C. M. California Pol. State Univ.

16:40-17:00, Paper WeIVT13.3


Entrapment/Escorting and Patrolling Missions in Multi-Robot Cluster Space Control
Mas, Ignacio Santa Clara Univ.
Li, Steven Santa Clara Univ.
Acain, Jose Santa Clara Univ.
Kitts, Christopher Santa Clara Univ.

17:00-17:20, Paper WeIVT13.4


Effective Robot Team Control Methodologies for Battlefield Applications
Fields, MaryAnne Army Res. Lab.
Ellen, Haas Army Res. Lab.
Hill, Susan Us Army Res. Lab.
Stachowiak, Chris Army Res. Lab.
Barnes, Laura Univ. of Texas at Arlington

17:20-17:40, Paper WeIVT13.5


Negotiation of Target Points for Teams of Heterogeneous Robots: An Application to Exploration
Rossi, Claudio Univ. Pol. de Madrid
Aldama, Leyre Univ. Pol. de Madrid
Barrientos, Antonio UPM
Valero, Alberto Univ. Pol. de Madrid
Sánchez, Carlos Univ. Pol. de Madrid


MoIIIT10

Mills 4
Multi-Robot Systems Communication Regular Sessions

Chair: Vaughan, Richard Simon Fraser Univ.
Co-Chair: Goldberg, Ken UC Berkeley

14:00-14:20, Paper MoIIIT10.1


Coordinating Recharging of Large Scale Robotic Teams
Drenner, Andrew UMN
Janssen, Michael Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Papanikolopoulos, Nikos Univ. of Minnesota

14:20-14:40, Paper MoIIIT10.2


Adaptive Mobile Charging Stations for Multi-Robot Systems
Couture-Beil, Alex Simon Fraser Univ.
Vaughan, Richard Simon Fraser Univ.

14:40-15:00, Paper MoIIIT10.3


Nonparametric Belief Propagation for Distributed Tracking of Robot Networks with Noisy Inter-Distance Measurements
Schiff, Jeremy UC Berkeley
Sudderth, Erik Univ. of California, Berkeley
Goldberg, Ken UC Berkeley

15:00-15:20, Paper MoIIIT10.4


An Adaptive Mobile Robots Tethering Algorithm in Constrained Environments
Chen, Xi Michigan Tech. Univ.
Tan, Jindong Michigan Tech. Univ.

15:20-15:40, Paper MoIIIT10.5


TENTACLES: Self-Configuring Robotic Radio Networks in Unknown Environments
Chiu, Chi Ho Univ. of Southern California
Salemi, Behnam USC/ISI
Rubenstein, Michael Univ. of southern california
Shen, Wei-Min USC Information Science Inst.
Zhu, Hua ArgonST
Maheswaran, Rajiv Univ. of Southern California - Information Sciences Inst.
Szekely, Pedro Univ. of Southern California
Rogers, Craig


WeIT13

Mills 7
Multi-Robot Interaction and Control Regular Sessions


09:10-09:30, Paper WeIT13.1


Stable and Spontaneous Self-Assembly of a Multi-Robotic System by Exploiting Physical Interaction between Agents
Suzuki, Kazuya Tohoku Univ.
Tsukidate, Tsunamichi Tohoku Univ.
Shimizu, Masahiro Tohoku Univ.
Ishiguro, Akio Tohoku Univ.

09:30-09:50, Paper WeIT13.2


Segregation in Swarms of Mobile Robots Based on the Brazil Nut Effect
Groß, Roderich EPFL
Magnenat, Stéphane EPFL
Mondada, Francesco EPFL

09:50-10:10, Paper WeIT13.3


Self-Configuring Robot Swarms with Dual Rotating Infrared Sensors
Lee, Geunho Japan Advanced Inst. of Sci. & Tech.
Yoon, Seokhoon Japan Advanced Inst. of Science and Tech.
Chong, Nak Young Japan Advanced Inst. of Sci. and Tech.
Christensen, Henrik Iskov Georgia Inst. of Tech.

10:10-10:30, Paper WeIT13.4


Multiplicative Potential Energy Function for Swarm Control
Hou, Saing Paul Nanyang Tech. Univ.
Cheah, C. C. Nanyang Tech. Univ.

WeIIT13

Mills 7
Multi-Robot Formation Control Regular Sessions

Co-Chair: Sheng, Weihua Oklahoma State Univ.

10:50-11:10, Paper WeIIT13.1


Leader-Following Formation Control Based on Pursuit Strategies
ding, wei Zhejiang Univ.
yan, gangfeng Zhejiang Univ.
Lin, Zhiyun Zhejiang Univ.
Lan, Ying Zhejiang Univ.

11:10-11:30, Paper WeIIT13.2


Discrete Event Systems Based Formation Control Framework to Coordinate Multiple Nonholonomic Mobile Robots
Gamage, Gayan Memorial Univ. of Newfoundland
Mann, George K. I. Memorial Univ. of Newfoundland
Gosine, Raymond G. Memorial Univ. of Newfoundland

11:30-11:50, Paper WeIIT13.3


Decision-Theoretic Robot Guidance for Active Cooperative Perception
Pahliani, Abdolkarim Inst. Superior Técnico - Inst. for Systems and Robotics
Spaan, Matthijs Inst. Superior Técnico - Inst. for Systems and Robotics
Lima, Pedro Inst. Superior Técnico - Inst. for Systems and Robotics

11:50-12:10, Paper WeIIT13.4


Adaptive Flocking Control for Dynamic Target Tracking in Mobile Sensor Networks
La, Hung Oklahoma State Univ.
Sheng, Weihua Oklahoma State Univ.

12:10-12:30, Paper WeIIT13.5


Characterization and Modeling of Wireless Channels for Networked Robotic and Control Systems -- a Comprehensive Overview
Mostofi, Yasamin Univ. of New Mexico
Gonzalez-Ruiz, Alejandro UNM
Ghaffarkhah, Alireza Univ. of New Mexico
Li, Ding


WeIIT12

Mills 6
Distributed Robotics: Formation and Task Allocation Regular Sessions

Co-Chair: Weinberg, Jerry Southern Illinois Univ. Edwardsville

10:50-11:10, Paper WeIIT12.1


A Distributed Boundary Detection Algorithm for Multi-Robot Systems
McLurkin, James Rice Univ.
Demaine, Erik MIT

11:10-11:30, Paper WeIIT12.2


Dynamic Coalition Formation under Uncertainty
Hooper, Daylond Air Force Inst. of Tech.
Peterson, Gilbert Air Force Inst. of Tech.
Borghetti, Brett Air Force Inst. of Tech.

11:30-11:50, Paper WeIIT12.3


Fault-Tolerant Formations of Mobile Robots
Mead, Ross Univ. of Southern California
Long, Robert Southern Illinois Univ. at Edwardsville
Weinberg, Jerry Southern Illinois Univ. Edwardsville

11:50-12:10, Paper WeIIT12.4


Negotiation with Reaction Functions for Solving Complex Task Allocation Problems
Zheng, Xiaoming Univ. of Southern California
Koenig, Sven Univ. of Southern California

12:10-12:30, Paper WeIIT12.5


CoMutaR: A Framework for Multi-Robot Coordination and Task Allocation
Shiroma, Pedro Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais
Campos, Mario F. Montenegro Federal Univ. of Minas Gerais


WeIVT13

Mills 7
Multi-Robot Cooperation Regular Sessions

Chair: Clark, C. M. California Pol. State Univ.

16:00-16:20, Paper WeIVT13.1


Multi-Robot Team Coordination through Roles, Positionings and Coordinated Procedures
Lau, Nuno Aveiro Univ.
Seabra Lopes, Luís Univ. de Aveiro
Corrente, Gustavo Univ. de Aveiro
Filipe, Nelson Univ. de Aveiro

16:20-16:40, Paper WeIVT13.2


Altruistic Task Allocation Despite Unbalanced Relationships within Multi-Robot Communities
Morton, Ryan Cal Pol. - San Luis Obispo
Bekey, George Univ. of Southern California
Clark, C. M. California Pol. State Univ.

16:40-17:00, Paper WeIVT13.3


Entrapment/Escorting and Patrolling Missions in Multi-Robot Cluster Space Control
Mas, Ignacio Santa Clara Univ.
Li, Steven Santa Clara Univ.
Acain, Jose Santa Clara Univ.
Kitts, Christopher Santa Clara Univ.

17:00-17:20, Paper WeIVT13.4


Effective Robot Team Control Methodologies for Battlefield Applications
Fields, MaryAnne Army Res. Lab.
Ellen, Haas Army Res. Lab.
Hill, Susan Us Army Res. Lab.
Stachowiak, Chris Army Res. Lab.
Barnes, Laura Univ. of Texas at Arlington

17:20-17:40, Paper WeIVT13.5


Negotiation of Target Points for Teams of Heterogeneous Robots: An Application to Exploration
Rossi, Claudio Univ. Pol. de Madrid
Aldama, Leyre Univ. Pol. de Madrid
Barrientos, Antonio UPM
Valero, Alberto Univ. Pol. de Madrid
Sánchez, Carlos

WeIVT15

Sterling 6
Path Planning: Multiple Mobile Robots Regular Sessions

Chair: Wang, Zhidong Chiba Inst. of Tech.
Co-Chair: Xiao, Jizhong City Coll. of New York

16:00-16:20, Paper WeIVT15.1


The Null-Space Based Behavioral Control for a Team of Cooperative Mobile Robots with Actuator Saturations
Arrichiello, Filippo Univ. di Cassino
Chiaverini, Stefano Univ. di Cassino
Indiveri, Giovanni Univ. of Salento
Pedone, Paola Univ. del Salento

16:20-16:40, Paper WeIVT15.2


Independent Navigation of Multiple Mobile Robots with Hybrid Reciprocal Velocity Obstacles
Snape, Jamie Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
van den Berg, Jur Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Guy, Stephen J. Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Manocha, Dinesh UNC at Chapel Hill

16:40-17:00, Paper WeIVT15.3


A Path Planning Method for Dynamic Object Closure by Using Random Caging Formation Testing
Wang, Zhidong Chiba Inst. of Tech.
Matsumoto, Hidenori Chiba Inst. of Tech.
Hirata, Yasuhisa Tohoku Univ.
Kosuge, Kazuhiro Tohoku Univ.

17:00-17:20, Paper WeIVT15.4


A Dynamic Path Planning Approach for Multi-Robot Sensor-Based Coverage Considering Energy Constraints
YAZICI, Ahmet Eskisehir Osmangazi Univ.
Kirlik, Gokhan Eskisehir Osmangazi Univ.
PARLAKTUNA, Osman OSMANGAZI Univ.
Sipahioglu, Aydin Eskisehir Osmangazi Univ.

17:20-17:40, Paper WeIVT15.5


Solvability of Multi Robot Motion Planning Problems on Trees
Masehian, Ellips Tarbiat Modares Univ.
Hassan Nejad, Azadeh

International Journal of Robotics Research Online

Only one multirobot paper in the current IJJR. Except it isn't a multirobot paper, its about robot controlled in a multirobot way.

Distributed Kinematic Motion Control of Multi-Robot Coordination Subject
to Physical Constraints
Youngshik Kim and Mark Minor

http://ijr.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/0278364909343217v1

This paper presents a kinematic motion control strategy for an n-axle Compliant Framed Modular wheeled Mobile Robot (CFMMR). This robot is essentially a passive-joint active-wheel snake robot where coordinated motion of the robot modules is critical for maximizing mobility and minimizing traction forces. A distributed master–slave kinematic motion control structure is proposed where the front axle module of the robot is the master and subsequent axle modules are slaves. An existing path manifold based controller is used to guide the motion of the master. Two steering algorithms with different specializations are then proposed for the slave modules. Performance of the steering algorithms is characterized based upon their capability to reduce traction forces, control final robot posture, and maneuver in a limited space. It is shown that these algorithms satisfy the physical constraints of the robot, which are characterized by path curvature and velocity limitations. Simulation and experimental results validate and characterize the performance of the algorithms.

Company using Multirobot Systems

http://www.kivasystems.com/

In Distribution centers, warehouses and manufacturing plants equipped with the Kiva MFS, operators stand still while the products come to them. Pallets, cases, and orders are stored on inventory pods that are picked up and moved by a fleet of mobile robotic drive units. As a result, any product can go to any operator at any time to fill any order.

These robots are pretty simple and the environment is pretty constrained but that is how it should be for robots in industrial environments. This is a good, smart use of a MRS.

Goldman Sach's MAS - Infrastructure Upgrade

The NYSE is building a new data center which will apparently allow more trading by multia-gent systems.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/08/nyse-builds-computer-trading-mothership-worries-abound.ars

It's quite remarkable to me that many of the econ and finance folks who insist that "HFT is the same thing we always did, just way faster" don't seem to realize that frequency and amplitude matter a whole lot, and that for any given phenomenon when you suddenly increase those two factors by an order of magnitude you typically end up with something very different than what you started with. This is true for isolated phenomena, and it's doubly true for complex systems, where you have to deal with systemic effects like feedback loops and synchronization/resonance.

Big European UAV

The Euro Hawk(r) is a derivative of the Block 20 Global Hawk, and will be equipped with a new SIGINT mission system developed by EADS Defence & Security (DS). The SIGINT system provides standoff capability to detect electronic intelligence radar and communications intelligence emitters. EADS DS will also provide the ground stations that will receive and analyze the data from Euro Hawk(r) as part of an integrated system solution.

UAVs not very successful?

I am not exactly sure how anyone comes up with these numbers, because it is often hard to tell whether someone is an insurgent, even after they are captured .....

The foreign policy community’s favorite counterinsurgency adviser, or at least their favorite Australian one, David Kilcullen, told lawmakers last week that the drone strikes targeting Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters in Pakistan are creating enemies at a far faster rate than its killing them. According to statistics he provided, the success rate of the drone bombing campaign is extremely low: just 2 percent of bombs dropped have hit targeted militants. The other 98 percent? Those killed noncombatant Pakistani civilians, he said.

http://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/05/11/drones-hardly-ever-kill-bad-guys/

AAMAS '10 CFP

Call for Papers-AAMAS 2010
The 9th International Conference on Agents and Multi Agent Systems
Toronto, Canada

Important dates:
Conference: May 10 - 14, 2010
Electronic Abstract Submission: October 8, 2009
Full Paper Submission: October 13, 2009
Author Notification: December 18, 2009

Collocated with KR, NMR, ICAPS, FOIS, (all in Toronto) and DL 2010 (in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada)
Expanded and latest information: www.cse.yorku.ca/AAMAS2010/

INTRODUCTION

AAMAS is the leading scientific conference for research in autonomous
agents and multiagent systems. The AAMAS conference series was
initiated in 2002 by merging three highly-respected meetings: International
Conference on Multi-Agent Systems (ICMAS); International Workshop on
Agent Theories, Architectures, and Languages (ATAL); and International
Conference on Autonomous Agents (AA). The aim of the joint conference
is to provide a single, high-profile, internationally-respected
archival forum for scientific research in the theory and practice of
autonomous agents and multiagent systems. AAMAS-2010 is the Ninth
conference in the AAMAS series, following enormously successful
previous conferences, and will be held at the Sheraton Centre Toronto
Hotel in downtown Toronto. See www.ifaamas.org for more
information on the AAMAS conference series.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

AAMAS-2010 seeks high-quality submissions of full papers, limited to 8
pages in length. Submissions will be rigorously peer reviewed and
evaluated on the basis of originality, soundness, significance,
presentation, understanding of the state of the art, and overall
quality of their technical contribution. Reviews will be double blind;
authors must avoid including anything that can be used to identify
them. Where submission is for full (8 page) papers only, in some
cases they may be accepted as 2 page extended abstracts. For formatting
instructions, please refer to the conference page.

In addition to submissions in the main track, AAMAS is soliciting
papers in two special tracks on robotics, and on virtual agents (see
below). The review process for the special tracks will be the same as
for the main track, but with specially-selected program committee
members.

Special Track on Robotics (Chair: Michael Beetz):
Papers on theory and applications concerning single and multiple
robots will be welcome, namely those focusing on real robots
interacting with their surrounding environments. The goal is to foster
interaction between researchers on agent and robotics systems, so as
to provide a cradle for cross-fertilization of concepts from both
fields.

Special Track on Virtual Agents (Chair: Stacy Marsella):
Virtual agents are embodied agents in interactive virtual or physical
environments that emulate human-like behavior. We encourage papers on
the design, implementation, and evaluation of virtual agents as well
as challenging applications featuring them. The goal is to provide an
opportunity for interaction and cross-fertilization between the AAMAS
community and researchers working on virtual agents and to strengthen
links between the two communities.

In addition to the conference papers, presented in parallel
technical sessions, AAMAS-2010 will include:
o Industry and Applications track
o Demonstrations
o Posters presentations for full papers and extended abstracts
o Invited talks and panel discussions

The submission processes for the demonstration and industry tracks are
separate from the main paper submission process.

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

General Chairs: Michael Luck and Sandip Sen
Program Chairs: Wiebe van der Hoek and Gal A. Kaminka
Local Organization Chair: Yves Lesperance

A list of the other members of the AAMAS-2010 Organizing Committee may
be found at www.cse.yorku.ca/AAMAS2010/

Robot brains or robot bodies?

A few weeks ago, I had a post about roboticists taking advantage of an insect body for its mechanical capabilities and giving it a brain. Now this picture in the Guardian of a roboticist using an insect brain to control a robotic body. Maybe these researchers could get together and either make robots or some cool hybrid insects!

RoboCup Rescue robots

Some interesting robot designs from 2009 RoboCup Rescue League. It feels like roboticists are starting to really understand that robot designs don't need to look like traditional vehicle designs. Many more pictures, courtesy of Amir Soltanzadeh, here.

Goldman Sach's MAS

There is a theory among, presumably bitter, AI researchers that a technology is called AI until it works and then it gets called something else. Voice recognition, OCR, face recognition in digital cameras are examples of this. Goldman Sach's intelligent, distributed trading platform seems to be continuing the tradition for MAS. From what I can glean from the various newspaper articles, they have a bunch of agents that monitor trading flows and autonomously and very quickly place trades to exploit market conditions.

http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/07/04/taibbi-nyse-ends-transparency-to-protect-goldman-sachs/

http://zerohedge.blogspot.com/2009/07/guest-post-manipulation.html

I think people overlook how MAS and MRS can process so much information, collected from a very large number of sources and make so many decisions so quickly. Humans simply can't compete. The above stories hint that this might be the case here. Assuming what Goldman is doing is legal (I have no idea), then their advantage is due to a reasonably simple MAS that can simply process more information and make more decisions faster than any human can.

I suspect that we will have to get used to this type of thing happening. It won't be just in markets, it may be in many different areas.

VTOL UAV

Here is a fun little UAV made by MLB Co. and expected to be available for about $50K within a year. I think we'll see more radical designs like this as UAV technology matures and designers understand the implications of not needing to deal with limitations of a human on board.



And for the price, I think we will see a lot of vehicles like this in use, very soon.

UCAS "Video"

Very artistic (and no doubt expensive) visualization of how UCAS might fit into next generation warfare. The video is a couple of years old, completely focused on missions and scenarios that don't feel relevant any more, but no doubt big contractors are still doing their best to sell it.

UAV Sniper

The Army is testing an autonomous helicopter capable of acting as a sniper. Not much information about the stability package for the weapon, but it must be impressive. Not sure how a helicopter is going to achieve the stealth required of a sniper? After the much publicized messes the Predators have made with their much less precise weapons, this is a good step forward.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/04/army-tests-new/

Insects for chemical and biological detection

Controlling small UAVs has turned out to be so difficult (even understanding the way insects fly was/is really hard) that DARPA is again looking to outfitting insects instead of building vehicles.

http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-amp-space/article/2009-06/insect-wifi-network-tracks-down-wmds

I think it was in the movie Get Smart that Max smashed an expensive prototype something like this into pieces.

Nuclear armed UAVs?

Two interesting UAV articles posted on the same day. One talks about the possibility of nuclear armed UAVs, the other notes that the USAF will train more UAV pilots than real pilots for the first time this year. This is partly in response to Gates insisting that the Air Force goes to more automation in their UAVs in response to higher crash rates than the Army had for their UAVs.

Together, these two articles show just how quickly the U.S. military is moving to UAVs. The F-22 and Stealth Bombers and Fighters might be the last major manned military aircraft. End of an era.

http://eideard.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/air-force-intends-to-rely-on-unmanned-aircraft-rather-than-pilots/

http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2009/06/4040349

Solar powered robots?

The reigning North American Solar Challenge car made it from Texas to Canada in 50 hours. This is with a driver, adding weight and imposing constraints on the overall shape. Without those constraints, it would seem reasonable to think that a solar powered robot vehicle could move pretty effectively, reliably and quickly over long distances. I don't recall seeing any solar powered robotic vehicles (except on Mars), I wonder why.

http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2009/06/0-to-60-in-full-sunlight-revving-up-for-world-solar-challenge.ars