One
part of artificial intelligence that has really captivated the world’s
imagination is the field of robotics. When someone hears the word robot, they
immediately think of the humanoid metal being who wants to destroy humanity,
made famous by Hollywood. This is simply not the case. In the last several
decades the world of robotics has changed from science fiction to reality. Not
in the form of human shapes, but instead robots who can perform highly skilled,
highly precise tasks, normally reserved for highly trained, and highly paid
employees. Today’s world would not be where it is without robotics. They have
allowed businesses across the map to decrease spending, while increasing
production to levels never before seen. One of the first organizations to use
robotic technology on a large scale was the different branches of the military.
The use of robots could simplify logistical and tactical operations, even
allowing human soldiers to avoid life-threatening situations. “Military
robotics are revolutionizing warfare
today through the use of advanced technologies that help the military on the
battlefield and create a better, more flexible and cost efficient military.”[1] The purpose of this research is to show the use
robots provide the military, and how they plan of using them.
One main platform, which the military
has given different robots big roles, is in the field of aerial operations, in
the form of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). UAVs serve multiple purposes for
the military. UAVs allow for intelligence to be gathered in a stealthy and
efficient manner. “Take advantage of the fact that UAVs have long loiter
times, can be positioned flexibly near potential targets, and are small and
relatively difficult to detect. The long endurance of UAVs is particularly
important for surveillance when these operations could be conducted over days.
In this sense, UAVs could relieve manned platforms of the need to maintain the
high operational tempo for the extended periods that are the norm in modern
military contingencies.”[2] This takes out the factor of different human limitations
and risks, such of operational time, high altitude risks, and if compromised
the life of the pilot. The software onboard the UAVs is able to feed real time
information back to the base of operations, so intelligence can be as accurate
and useful as possible to the officers in the field.
UAVs can also give
firepower support. It could fire at fixed positions, which are of interest to
high command, like chemical and weapons production plants, and enemy
intelligence operations. “As early as 1972 a Ryan Lightning Bug
drone successfully launched an AGM-65 Maverick electro-optical missile against
a radar control van.”[3]
It could also help for mission specific duties, such as providing air support
for infantry troops pinned down by the enemy. For example, I have a cousin who
served five years in the Army, doing four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, after
graduating from West Point. In his third tour in Afghanistan, as a Captain in
command of his own platoon, he was on a patrol when a company of Taliban
ambushed his platoon. One of his men was wounded and needed to be medevac
immediately to safety. Unable to
maneuver in any direction, he options were limited on the ground. He then
realized there was a Predator drone in the area. He called in his position
directly to the Air Force command, which was controlling the UAV, telling them
to drop two precision missiles on the enemy. Within three minutes the missiles
hit the target and my cousins platoon was able to get to the evacuation point.
This is just one example of the many lives that UAVs have saved since started
being used in this way.
Another problem that
has become synonymous with the war in the Middle East is IEDs (improvised
explosive device). Robotics has provided the military with its best answer to
the problem yet. On every mission, vehicles go ahead of the convoys to sweep
for IEDs. When they find them they cannot just kick them off the side of the
road. This would cause the explosive to blow up still causing casualties. To
avoid this the military has created a robot that can go in by remote operation,
and diffuse the bomb. Before these men would have to dress in a bomb suit (if
you have ever seen the movie The Hurt Locker, you know what I mean), walk over
to the IED then, slowly and carefully, without making a tiny slip, remove the
trigger to the device. With the robot, the operator watches the camera feed
from a safe distance away, maneuvers the arms to where he can properly cut or
remove the wires to diffuse the bomb. An example of one of these robots is
called the Warrior 710, and is made by the same company that makes home robot
vacuum systems. “The Warrior 710 climbs stairs and slopes up to a 45-degree
angle, rolls over rocks and can carry 150 pounds. It's designed for IED
disposal and clearing buildings. This robot also has a delicate extendable hand
that can move around corners, open a car door and remove a bomb on its own.” It
can even pick up to 220 pounds within six feet of the robot.[4]
As technology
continues to progress, robots in the military will continue to be used more and
more. The roles of humans in the military will become more and more limited as
robotics grow. “Few
and Smart report that the military goal is to have approximately 30% of the
Army comprised of robotic forces by approximately 2020.”[5] One day the
role of fighter, helicopter, and transport pilots may become completely
obsolete. Instead of humans, robots may drive and control our tank units. The
role of humans may be strictly limited to just the infantry solider, until
maybe, like in the movies we will have an Army of terminator robots. Military
robot technology will also slowly trickle into the civilian consumer world as
well. It may have started in the military but it will ultimately end up in the
backyards of everyone in the world. “Companies like Lockheed and John Deere are
exploring a range of different potential markets for their UGVs (Unmanned
Ground Vehicles), most of which fall into those familiar "dull, dirty, or
dangerous" categories. Things like autonomous security patrols probably
won't surprise you, nor will long term and long range border patrols in remote
and rugged and generally nasty terrain. But there may be other, less obvious
applications for UGVs, including agriculture, mining, and construction.”[6]
Robotics will simplify our lives for a long time to come. The conclusion of
this research is that the military has shown widespread effort across different
branches to incorporate robotics, and will continue to search for more
solutions that robots may provide.
