BigR
03-17-2008, 01:35 PM
Well, for awhile anyways.
we are all replaceable by the army's newest creation apparently
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pB8Hxo-k8A
"
They came up with the Griffon (PDF (http://robotfrontier.com/papers/griffon-article.pdf)), an iRobot PackBot (http://www.defense-update.com/products/p/pacbot.htm) prototype strapped to a gasoline-powered, propeller-driven, radio-controlled, steerable parafoil system. The UGV hangs from a superstructure on which is mounted a 32cc Fuji (http://www.fuji-imvac.com/) engine behind an 18- by 8-inch propeller.
For the parafoil, the team considered a wide range of extreme sport kite surfing and traction wings but settled on the 11-meter Ozone Razor (http://www.windpowersports.com/kites/ozone/razor.html). This parafoil is attached by two hang points on the sides, with two arms to control the wing surface and a quick release to jettison the whole contraption on touchdown.The PackBot (http://www.cnet.com/8301-13639_1-9801429-42.html)'s on-board computer does the driving and controls the gas. Video, audio, and autonomous ground GPS navigation is also a standard PackBot (http://www.news.com/iRobot-readies-shop-vac,-new-military-bot/2100-1041_3-6115360.html) feature.
The kit is designed to be man-packable and could be used by civilian teams for search-and-rescue in hazardous terrain in addition to military recon and strike missions in urban environments, according to the researchers.""
we are all replaceable by the army's newest creation apparently
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pB8Hxo-k8A
"
They came up with the Griffon (PDF (http://robotfrontier.com/papers/griffon-article.pdf)), an iRobot PackBot (http://www.defense-update.com/products/p/pacbot.htm) prototype strapped to a gasoline-powered, propeller-driven, radio-controlled, steerable parafoil system. The UGV hangs from a superstructure on which is mounted a 32cc Fuji (http://www.fuji-imvac.com/) engine behind an 18- by 8-inch propeller.
For the parafoil, the team considered a wide range of extreme sport kite surfing and traction wings but settled on the 11-meter Ozone Razor (http://www.windpowersports.com/kites/ozone/razor.html). This parafoil is attached by two hang points on the sides, with two arms to control the wing surface and a quick release to jettison the whole contraption on touchdown.The PackBot (http://www.cnet.com/8301-13639_1-9801429-42.html)'s on-board computer does the driving and controls the gas. Video, audio, and autonomous ground GPS navigation is also a standard PackBot (http://www.news.com/iRobot-readies-shop-vac,-new-military-bot/2100-1041_3-6115360.html) feature.
The kit is designed to be man-packable and could be used by civilian teams for search-and-rescue in hazardous terrain in addition to military recon and strike missions in urban environments, according to the researchers.""