Unmanned Systems

Iran to Reverse Engineer Captured American Stealth UAV

According to the Iranian officials, Iran will use information extracted from the Sentinel's computer systems, which were intact when the aircraft was captured in November 2011. The UAV is said by the Iranians to be 5.4 meters long and have a wingspan of 26 meters. Continue reading →

Unfolding the UMS Defense & Security Scene in early 2012

Governments and companies are looking for cross-migration of technology between the commercial and defense worlds: governments realize they can save money by integrating already-proven UMV technologies from oil & gas, and oil & gas operators find themselves increasingly in need for maritime robotics systems for deep sea energy explorations and operations. Continue reading →

New Bill Opens American Airspace to Commercial Drones

A bill recently passed by Congress will require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to open U.S. airspace to drone flights in four years. Currently, the FAA restricts drone use to segregated blocks of temporarily or permanently restricted airspace for border patrol and other government tasks. The FAA prohibits profit-making flights by any sort of unmanned aircraft through rules; the law is silent on that point. Continue reading →

Non-Military, Sensor-Dense Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) to Dwarf Military UGV Market

In the non-military UGV sector, border and perimeter security needs and man-made and natural disasters are the prime market drivers with sensor rich payloads and advanced robotic arm and manipulators bringing autonomous navigation and effector manipulation within reach. Continue reading →

The Dominance of Defense Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs)

As a result of nearly a decade of increasing threats from improvised explosive devices in Iraq and Afghanistan, robotics for defense applications continues to evolve as innovative technology is constantly improving in functionality in countering the IED threat. UGVs used in defense applications, i.e. procured by defense departments and ministries of defense, account for an estimated 85% of the entire body of fielded UGVs. Continue reading →

UGV Sensors & Payload Spending to Top $2.5 Billion – 2011-2017

The total spending on Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) sensors and payloads in the top 9 country markets will surpass $2.5 Billion during the 2011-2017 period. Continue reading →

Sensors and Payload Advances – Key to Mobile Robots’ Increased Responsiveness

Advances in sensors and payloads, integration, data fusion, autonomy software and data link transmission hold the promise of increasing the responsiveness of mobile robotics to the needs of every user community. Continue reading →

Bright Future Forecasted for Non-Military, Sensor-Dense Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs)

Advancing sensor and payload capabilities in non-military applications will dwarf the military market for UGV sensors and payloads. Continue reading →

What will Rescue the Rescue Robotics Market?

Recent mine disasters in Chile and New Zealand have also brought attention to the sector. Fukushima will bring political attention to the needs for rescue robots more than the earthquake and tsunami damage to the rest of Japan would have. Continue reading →

Will China Dominate Mobile Robotics?

The wholesale off-shoring of the electronics industrial base by the West to Asia has enabled especially China to rapidly climb the value added systems capability ladder in complexity of design, development and production of advanced electronics while taking advantage of global demand for ever more capable yet cheaper high tech products Continue reading →