AUSA 2012: REF explores new high mobility small UGV designs

RHex_Mud photo Boston Dynamics

24 February 2012 - by Scott Gourley - Shepardmedia.com

Fort Lauderdale, USA - The US Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF) has added two new small UGVs to the range of small unmanned ground systems it is exploring for service application. Examples of systems explored by the REF that are already in the field include the Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) 310 from iRobot and the Recon Scout XT ‘throwbot’ from Recon Robotics.

In addition to those systems, the REF used the venue of AUSA Winter 2012 Winter to highlight its exploration of two new platforms, dubbed Project RHEX and Project Sand Flea. Both systems are being explored for their observation and surveillance capabilities.

Developed by Boston Dynamics, Project RHEX features a low rectangular platform with six ‘flipper’ mobility, allowing the waterproof system to move through a wide range of harsh tactical environments. Videos in the REF exhibit area showed clear utility in storm drains, where the system is able to turn around in very confined spaces and its light / camera system could provide operators with exceptional surveillance capabilities in these environmentally hostile settings.

Sand Flea was developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Sandia National Laboratories. The system’s most unique design feature is the ability to leap on top of  1 – 2 story building (current design is capable of an 8 meter leap). Future REF explorations will likely consider system potential in other tactical scenarios, including hopping over walls or fences.