Semi-autonomous tactical robots for urban operations

This paper outlines the advantages enjoyed through the employment of miniature man-packed robotic vehicles in urban environments, and calls for a redirection of unmanned systems development toward low cost semi-autonomous portable platforms. A review of ground robotic platforms is provided first, followed by a discussion of operational voids posed by military operations in urban terrain (MOUT). A review of machine competencies and limitations follows next. Portable (man-packed) mobile robots are then presented as a means to address MOUT voids as well as other problem areas for other government agencies outside the Department of Defense. The paper concludes that human launched and supervised miniature robots possess enormous potential to compensate for the many daunting challenges involved with urban operations.