Driverless vehicles currently are used in factories, warehouses and other industrial settings. But now the US Army is planning on using the cutting edge technology to make combat zones safer for soldiers.
In a demonstration in December at Fort Hood, Texas, the US Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) and Lockheed Martin unveiled the Autonomous Mobility Applique System (AMAS), driverless supply trucks that can move through urban areas and combat zones completely on their own.
During the demonstration, the driverless tactical vehicles could navigate multiple hazards and obstacles, including pedestrians, other vehicles, road intersections, traffic circles and even stalled vehicles.
Trucks that Drive Themselves
Developed as part of an $11 million contract with Lockheed Martin in 2012, the vehicles are equipped with a multi-platform kit that uses low-cost censors and control systems that allow the vehicles to operate autonomously either on their own or in convoys. They also can be overridden and driven manually.
David Simon, AMAS program manager for Lockheed Martin’s Missles and Fire Control division, said the vehicles performed well during the development and testing stage.
“The AMAS CAD hardware and software performed exactly as designed and dealt successfully with all of the real world obstacles that real-world convoy would encounter,” said Simon.
Keep Soldiers Out of Harm’s Way
The biggest benefit of the vehicles is that they have the ability to transport supplies without putting soldiers in harms way. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ambushes and suicide bombers have been used frequently by enemy combatants during both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The Pentagon has been seeking ways to improve safety while still working toward its overall objectives.
“(AMAS) adds substantial weight to the Army’s determination to get robotic systems into the hands of the warfighter,” said Bernard Theisen, TARDEC technical manager.
The driverless military vehicles are just the latest in a trend toward completely automated vehicles. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) which are essentially driverless forklifts, have been used in warehouses for years to move supplies and products. They also are used in hospitals and other industries.
Driverless Cars in Development Now
Some automakers and even the Internet giant Google currently are developing driverless cars for use on public roadways. In August, General Motors announced that it expects to be building cars that navigate by themselves using radar, cameras and Global Positioning Systems by 2020. These vehicles will be able to stay within marked lanes, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and even brake to a complete stop entirely on their own.
The rise of these machines have caused concern among some. In Oregon last year, a legislative bill that sought to allow driverless vehicles to operate in the state died in a state legislative committee shortly after the Boston Marathon bombing after lawmakers raised concerns that they could be used as “drones” to deliver armed bombs for terrorists.