Bots & Bullets

Prosegur Security USA has announced the integration of its newest security technology, a robot dog named Yellow, into its private and professional security offerings for perimeter patrol. Yellow has several applications. He can be deployed in situations that are too dangerous, or too difficult, for human entry. In addition, he can be deployed at events and with the help of facial recognition technology, can identify “friend or foe”, alerting security of potential threats.

Knightscope, developer of security robots, has launched its Automatic Criminal Detection Capability (ACDCTM) feature, a real-time and extensive criminal data intelligence solution, ACDCTM utilizes the facial recognition technology on K1 ASRs and a legal open-source database of over 75 million criminal law enforcement files to detect and alert users to a person previously convicted of a crime or possible threats on their property.

Aerobotix, a FANUC robotics integrator, today marked having supported the 40th restoration of air inlet ducts on F-22 Raptor aircraft, as part of a maintenance contract with the U.S. Air Force. With funding from the Air Force’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, Aerobotix developed an automated painting system.

The United States Army has selected AeroVironment, provider of multi-domain robotic systems, for it Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) program. The contract encompasses the purchase, testing and delivery of one JUMP 20 medium unmanned aircraft system (MUAS) to a selected Army Brigade Combat Team (BCT) and associated services, training and support.

Norway and Britain have announced they will supply Black Hornet micro drones to Ukraine to aid in its war with Russia. The Teledyne Flir Black Hornet drones can be used for reconnaissance and target identification. The cost will be up to $9.26 million.

In a new concept video Lockheed Martin shows what it called Distributed Teams, consisting of a  manned fighter and unmanned dones. The technology is being developed by its famous innovation department, calles Skunk Works, and could be operational witin three years.

The US Government has stated it believes Russia is trying to get “hundreds” of unmanned aerial vehicles, including weapons-capable drones, from Iran to use in the war in Ukraine.

Teledyne FLIR Defense has received new orders worth $62.1 million from the U.S. Armed Services for its multi-mission robots. The U.S. Army, Navy, and other command centers placed orders for nearly 500 more Centaur unmanned ground systems, including additional spares, antennas, and payload mounting kits.

Aerobotix and Automated Solutions Australia (ASA)  officially announced a robotic automation international partnership between the two companies for the development, testing and manufacturing of hypersonic missiles. The partnership follows the 2021 signing of the AUKUS security pact between the U.S., U.K. and Australian Governments, which includes provisions for the allies to work together on hypersonic and counter-hypersonic capabilities.

Teledyne FLIR Defense will be delivering 127 PackBot 525 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to the German Army (Deutsches Heer). The PackBot 525 is the most advanced model of Teledyne FLIR’s ground robot, used by U.S. and international defense forces since 2001. Is has seen action in combat zones like Afghanistan and Iraq. The 27 kg PackBot can do a wide range of tasks, such as bomb disposal, close-in surveillance, and situations involving hostages or hazardous materials.