FIGHTING BOMB THREATS WITH TECH
Description
Robots that can defuse explosives are set to revolutionise bomb disposal operations and significantly reduce the risk to military personnel.
A new live trial led by our scientists has seen advanced robotic systems, including robot dogs, successfully detecting, and defusing bomb threats.
The trials took place over four days and included:
• Remote classification and identification of threats using sensors on robots;
• Defusing of bombs by a robot dog;
• Drones with AI autonomous threat and people detection;
• Robots conducting tasks such as opening doors and climbing stairs.
Dstl worked alongside British and International industry, L3Harris, Marlborough Communications Ltd and AeroVironment (Tomahawk Robotics) on the trials which showed that they could enhance Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) capability by:
• Reducing the need to put a bomb disposal operator in harm’s way by increasing the number of tasks that robots can perform remotely;
• Improving the effectiveness of robots, reducing the burden to the operator, allowing delicate and precision movements to be completed reliably;
• Using drones equipped with AI to identify threats and monitor safety cordons, increasing the pace of operations and reducing disruption to the public.
Dstl’s science and technology is vital to keeping our Armed Forces safe and the UK secure. Its mission is to deliver operational advantage at pace, shape the defence and security landscape, prepare for the future, leverage and influence internationally. Dstl gives the UK a battle-winning edge across science, technology, cyber and information.
