Another Robotic Vehicle to Help Soldiers 154
Roland Piquepaille writes "There are many teams of U.S. scientists working on robots able to find improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq before they can kill American soldiers. Today, let's look at an effort going on at Florida State University (FSU) to build unmanned ground vehicles that could save soldiers' lives. The researchers are creating complex algorithms to control these robots who will have to integrate many different factors such as the type of ground surface or obstacles that might block the vehicle's path. Some of these robots, which also could be used for civilian missions, are currently being tested at FSU. Read more for additional references and pictures of these robots which will have to navigate among dense obstacles."
Why didn't the soldier cross the road? (Score:1)
Re:Why didn't the soldier cross the road? (Score:1)
or an armed chicken
Re:Why didn't the soldier cross the road? (Score:2)
Re:Why didn't the soldier cross the road? (Score:3, Funny)
where this is leading (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:where this is leading (Score:1)
Me too - it's a PII laptop with 32MB of RAM, a 640x480 screen, and a 14.4K modem, with Windows ME installed. Prisoners will have their choice of a spotty touchpad or a gummed-up trackmarble.
Re:where this is leading (Score:3, Interesting)
The economy gets a war boost, the government gets to throw its weight around and the only real cost is the death of a bunch of people that aren't American; everybody wins!
Ok, sarcasm aside I do like the idea of robotizing (it's a real word, look it up!) the army as much as we can. Many a great peace-time inventions started as or were sped up by military in
Re:where this is leading (Score:1, Troll)
Re:where this is leading (Score:5, Funny)
Re:where this is leading (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:where this is leading (Score:2)
gee, you think? insightful - mod this up...lol
Re:where this is leading (Score:1)
Cool R&D... (Score:2)
(5, Funny) Activists (Score:2)
Re:(5, Funny) Activists (Score:1)
People for the Eating of Tasty Robots?!? Mmmmm
Battlebots (Score:4, Funny)
Is it possible to use a targetted EMP burst? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Is it possible to use a targetted EMP burst? (Score:1)
Mostly detonated remote. (Score:2)
However then the insurgents may well switch to just simple wires trailing off somewhere that couldn't be disabled by EMP. That means they would have to stay closer, and of course after the device went back you could trace where the wires led to, and perhaps gain further in
Re:Mostly detonated remote. (Score:2)
EMP only effectively takes out #1. #2 is what does the most damages due to a monkey driving the car. #3 is somewhat effective, but it's as effective as a mime.
The most important part is effective policing. For instance, eliminate driving during the day except for US mil
Re:Mostly detonated remote. (Score:2)
You bastard. Check your typing. Do you KNOW what coke in the sinuses feels like?!
Re:Mostly detonated remote. (Score:2)
Lets get one thing straight. You and I probably (most likely) have two separate ideas on the method of winning strategy in Iraq. Your point was to win the "hearts and minds" of Iraqis. Well, mine is bit more cruel and straight forward and effective measure to elimiate two goals of insurgents.
You can't change the "hearts and minds" of dead people. More civilian casualty m
Re:Mostly detonated remote. (Score:2)
A shaped charge isn't much more complex and
Re:Mostly detonated remote. (Score:1)
You mean like the ones we left unguarded after the invasion?
Re:Mostly detonated remote. (Score:2)
It was a disgrace that what we knew of wasn't secured, but I'm pretty sure that we'd have the IED problem in either case - I had friends over there who have pictures of a building (opposite a school) containing literally thousands of mortars that were discovered a year or so into the conflict. The ordinance disposal folks
Re:Is it possible to use a targetted EMP burst? (Score:1, Interesting)
Whatever happened to the right to peace and quiet in our homes? Your rights stop where mines start.
Oh, and the new Slashdot looks SUCKS - This isn't a "news for nerds" look, it's a "I'm a futuristic designer" lo
Re:Is it possible to use a targetted EMP burst? (Score:2)
Re:Is it possible to use a targetted EMP burst? (Score:1)
Re:Is it possible to use a targetted EMP burst? (Score:2)
Re:Is it possible to use a targetted EMP burst? (Score:1)
Many problems (Score:2)
An EMP disables electronics by inducing a current overload into a circuit which burns it out like a fuse is burnt out by a current overload. This is just as likely to set off the bomb by inducing a current into the detonator as disabling it.
fixing the user interface (Score:1, Offtopic)
Re:fixing the user interface (Score:1)
Re:fixing the user interface (Score:2)
Re:fixing the user interface (Score:1)
Re:fixing the user interface (Score:1)
Re:fixing the user interface (Score:2)
IMHO, the problem is the unreadably tiny size of the font. Looking through the new stylesheets, the font seems to be specified as 82%/150% ie: 82% of the font height that the user has carefully chosen to be easily readable (I know most users don't change the browsers defaults, but this is slashdot, and "most users" don't hang out here), with 150% of the line spacing that the font designer carefully cho
Re:fixing the user interface (Score:2)
IMHO, the problem is the unreadably tiny size of the font
No, the AC had it right, nail on the head. Its actually easier to read slashdot now if you make font size smaller. It compresses the text somewhat. Bizarre. I also hate the high contrast in discussions. This is what happens when print artists try to design for the web. High contrast on a page, boys and girls, low contrast on luminous surfaces like monitors. FWIW the most readable test is dark grey on light grey. Most relaxing.
Heh? How does that help? (Score:4, Interesting)
Oh wait, here is an idea. EM bomb. No ignition, No Boom.
EMP bomb=Really idiotic idea (Score:2)
Re:EMP bomb=Really idiotic idea (Score:2)
EMP does not set the bomb off like you've stated. EMF doesn't magically set off bomb like C4 by itself. Matter of fact, EMP is low frequency hence worst it can do to C4 is just give a bad vibration. High frequency is another matter like microwave which can detonate C4 directly or by exploding blasting cap or detonator which makes C4 go boom. Some even said, lighting up C4 with a match will just make C4 burn like a wood.
Re:EMP bomb=Really idiotic idea (Score:1)
Not all IEDs use fancy electronic detonators. There are any number of non-electronic ways to set off explosives. While EMP/HERF systems can be useful, there is no panacea.
Re:Heh? How does that help? (Score:2)
An EM bomb
Tag (Score:1, Offtopic)
This has already been done -- better (Score:4, Informative)
Scott
SSHGuru.com
HAL? Is that you? (Score:2)
I for one... (Score:2)
Hey, it's a classic. You don't have to laugh. The Meme Monster made me do it.
Ratings on the right? (Score:2)
This is prettier, but I think I liked the old
Me Luv You Long Time (Score:2)
Whether artificial or not, let's send a bit of what the Bush Administration has done to the American people over to our heroic men and women stationed in Iraq.
Saves Lives? Takes lives? (Score:2, Insightful)
"...envisions the creation of an unmanned ground vehicle that could patrol large areas without putting U.S. soldiers in harm's way." "We're already using drones (unmanned airplanes) for surveillance in the skies over Iraq,"
So how long before they save lives by taking lives?
It may be pedantic and out of date but I would prefer if there was a disincentive for military action (like counter invasion or the loss of life) rather than an all out search for ways to carry out military action o
Disincentive (Score:2)
And is war really the worst thing out there? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Do we still believe this or not? The sad, tragic truth is that there will always be people who are willing to throw others' lives away, and sometimes the only way to stop such people is to wage war.
Now that
Re:Disincentive (Score:2)
Vietnam, which ended due to unpopularity at home due to the large number of deaths. Not the 3+ million vietnamese civilians, but rather 58,000 US soldiers.
If robots had fought that war instead of US soldiers, you would have saved 58,000 people but at the cost of a few million more civilians.
there will always be people who are willing to throw others' lives away, and sometimes the only way to stop such people is to wage war.
Sometimes. But more often there are peo
Re:Disincentive (Score:2)
Time was when the USA didn't mess around. Is this why we're still in Iraq? Is it b
Re:Disincentive (Score:2)
And by the way, since no WMD were found, the official line is now that we went in to help people (and that has always been the reason). It's hard to keep saying that if you attack with unrestrained force.
Re:Disincentive (Score:2)
I'll have to think about the unrestrained force in Iraq part.
Re:Disincentive (Score:1)
Re:Disincentive (Score:2)
If a pro-lifer bombs an abortion clinic, should Kansas be burnt to the ground?
It is easy to prove that your proposal of escalating violence would not eradicate enemies, as I myself would take up arms against any government that behaved in such a way.
Re:Saves Lives? Takes lives? (Score:2, Flamebait)
Re:Saves Lives? Takes lives? (Score:2)
PS the word is "coup" as in "coup d'état" (unless there was a change of spelling for the reasons behind freedom fries & freedom kisses)
Re:Saves Lives? Takes lives? (Score:2)
Let calmer heads prevail, I say: Let key targets be struck at long range by trained technicians studying spycam images from the relaxed comfort of an air-conditioned command center well outside the "hot zone".
Keep the troops off the battlefield as much as possible. Let robots, drones, and smart bombs do the killing, under human supervision.
OH FOR CRAP SAKE (Score:1)
Re:OH FOR CRAP SAKE (Score:1)
Re:OH FOR CRAP SAKE (Score:1)
So which is it to be?
Re:OH FOR CRAP SAKE (Score:1)
I saw this bit
and I bet that makes three of us who would support it. You, me, and the soldier concerned.
Might be good though, if we noticed that the most efficient thing for preventing the death of a soldier in combat is certainly stopping the combat in question. If we try that approach however, one third of us might begin suffering from anything from utter boredom to out-and-out depression.
Rather depr
CSS (Score:1, Offtopic)
It was a joke! SCO didn't patent the old CSS!
Off Topic, I hate this new CSS, Bring back the old (Score:1)
I had to hunt for the "read more" link on each story, and it just feels too blocky and non-flowing.
I really don't like this CSS at all... I don't know if everyone else agrees with me or not.
Could you at least give me a option to pick the old one?
Cooler Robot Video (Score:1)
I tested one of those robots. (Score:1, Insightful)
The robot i would like to see, (Score:3, Interesting)
Make this controlable by a couple of nitendo/xbox style controlers with a sighting relay and let it escort every convoy they run in hostile teritory. All the other vehicles need to do is stay back and follow the wet areas. If it does detonate something, it can push it aside, pick it up with the arms and move it or even do a quicky repair to the road to let the other vehilces pass. Give it a UAV for extended sensor information gathering.
Re:The robot i would like to see, (Score:1)
Re:The robot i would like to see, (Score:1)
The US is so worried about saving soldiers lives (Score:2)
Just get rid of the cell phones. (Score:1)
The billion dollar cork (Score:2, Interesting)
how are the IEDs triggered? (Score:2)
Is there another way? (Score:1)
More info (Score:1)
Lab's web page: http://www.eng.fsu.edu/ciscor/ [fsu.edu]
The robot hardware platforms are a customized ATRV (four wheels) by RWI (now iRobot) and a Pioneer DX (two wheels) by ActivMedia (now MobileRobots Inc.). This hardware would not be used in the field (Since RWI no longer exists and the DX is about 2 feet tall), but the navigation principles they developed might be (along with many others).
Re:More info (Score:1)
What is not shown in the video that I'd like to have seen is a more dynamic environment, even hostile. Navigating around stationary objects is not in itself impressive, though their forrest of PVC pipes is more (spatially) constrained than most tests. Navigating in a dense hostile e
Looks like Mini-MALP (Score:1)
great (Score:2)
-999 Offtopic (Score:2)
I kinda like the layout. Still, I'm gonna check my preferences to see if I have other options...
Re:Rolan = New CSS (Score:1, Informative)
Re:Rolan = New CSS (Score:2)
Re:GET THE OLD SLASHDOT CSS HERE (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:GET THE OLD SLASHDOT CSS HERE (Score:2)
Alternate stysheet perhaps? (Score:1)
MOD PARENT UP (Score:2)
From a soldier in Iraq (Score:2)
So any little thing is helpful. Thanks.
Re:Listen up, dude... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Listen up, dude... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:better solution.. (Score:1, Interesting)
When will this stupid meme die. Islamofascist is not a good description of militant Islamists; fascism is about more than just a powerful and brutal state. From the Wikipedia entry [wikipedia.org]:
Nationalism is a key component of fascism. The Islamist movement was weaned on fight
Re:better solution.. (Score:5, Insightful)
Osama got exactly what he wanted: The removal of Saddam, and a ton of new recruits.
Re:better solution.. (Score:1)
Re:better solution.. (Score:1)
Re:better solution.. (Score:1)
The moderate Muslims will never get much support whilst the "foreign invaders", as they're called, keep attacking and occuping Muslim countries.
Re:better solution.. (Score:1)
Foreign invaders are enough to cause anyone to become more radical, not just religious extremists.
Take this "what if?" historical example:
If the Soviet Union successfully invaded the USA (laughable, yes) during the 80s their theoretical leaders would no doubt complain about the rebels attacking their soldiers. When they'd complain about Christian Extremists killing Soviet Soldiers, you'd probably say the same thi
Re:better solution.. (Score:2)
The moderates in Iraq right now are no doubt huddling inside praying that the insurgents and the occupation forces wipe each other out, and that they can manage to stay alive until that happens.
Re:better solution.. (Score:1)
Or do they not teach recent history on your side of the puddle?
Re:better solution..Carpet Bombing. (Score:2)
Re:American Soldiers (Score:1)