Indian UGCV & UGV

Prashant12

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India working on robots that may patrol borders

BENGALURU: As part of enhancing India's defence capabilities, scientists have been quietly working on all-terrain artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled robots that may eventually patrol the country's borders.
Scientists from defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited’s (BEL) Central Research Laboratory (CRL) in Bengaluru, who began work on this first responder robot in December 2018, are confident of having the first prototype by December 2019.

BEL CMD Gowthama MV told TOI: “AI will change how some critical operations are conducted by the armed forces, and our robot will even been able to patrol the borders.”

Although Ajay Kumar, secretary, defence production, has said the prototype of this robot, along with a few other AI-enabled products from BEL will be ready this year, there has been no specific requirements from the armed forces sent to BEL so far.

“Like Steve Jobs said, users don’t know what they want until you show it to them. As a company committed to R&D, we want to be able to show capabilities that can become useful for armed forces, this is one such project,” Gowthama said.

He said BEL has started putting together preliminary requirements for design and implementation of the project and has already conducted training programmes to build competency in AI.
Globally, companies like Irobot Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Mitsubishi, Thales Group, BAE Systems, General Dynamics Corporation, et al, have been working on first responder border patrol robots. Korea has been building completely different kind of robots—some reports describe them as machines inspired by the Avatar movie.

Experts TOI spoke with—security observers, former military commanders and members of think-tanks —say India is likely to take at least a decade, if not more, to have a functional robot that can perform this task.
Unconventional Wars

“Future wars will not be fought on conventional basis...AI-enabled products will aid decision-making. Robots can save lives of soldiers deployed for border surveillance. The Centre is making efforts to ensure that martyr families are provided a compensation of not less than Rs 1 crore. AI-enabled robots can also help in saving precious lives,” Gowthama said.

While a rudimentary robot is in the making with significant development (see image) already done, the next generation of AI will involve lot of design complexities. There are a lot of challenges to overcome, including collection of raw data.

Gowthama said that the biggest challenge will be to have a machine that can self-learn given that there is no availability of raw data. “Raw data needed for such products is massive and we have to figure out a way to gather that. Once that is in place, we can customise algorithms we’ve built to get the robot to perform very specific tasks,” he said.

User-trials By Feb 2020?

BEL is looking at December first week for internal review of the first prototype and February 2020 for user trials. Currently, BEL has about 80 scientists/engineers working in the all the three AI-specific labs—CRLs in Bengaluru and Ghaziabad, and BEL Software Technology Centre (BSTC) in Bengaluru—put together and the PSU hopes to ramp up the number to 100.


The BEL robot will be equipped with sensors and programmed to communicate with control centre besides being able to work in post disaster situations—such as the Easter blasts in Colombo—while also conducting surveillance.
At present, the estimated cost of each of these robots—if and when orders are placed—would be in the range of Rs 70 lakh and Rs 80 lakh per unit for small orders. “The cost can come down if there are large orders,” Gowthama said.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...t-may-patrol-borders/articleshow/69138606.cms
 

WolfPack86

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Indian Army procures Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) THeMIS Armed Robot from Estonia
 

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J&K: ‘Xena 5.0’ Tactical Combat Robots to help Indian Army in combat operations
 

WolfPack86

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Robots will now help Indian Army fight terror in Kashmir
From helping in cordon-and-search ops, negotiating obstacles to lobbing grenades at terrorists holed up in buildings, the Ministry of Defence has started procuring around 550 robotics surveillance units.


The Indian Army will soon have robots to help it in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir. From helping in cordon-and-search ops, negotiating obstacles to lobbing grenades at terrorists holed up in buildings, the Ministry of Defence has started the process of procuring around 550 robotics surveillance units with minimum 25 years of service life for counter-insurgency ops in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said on Wednesday.

A senior Indian Army officer told that these robots should be capable of climbing stairs and negotiating obstacles apart from throwing grenades at terrorists in built-up areas. "These robots should be capable enough for water fording with minimum 20-cm depth," the officer said. During cordon-and-search-operations in the Valley, these robots will be the first line of defence, thus helping prevent casualties. "This would avoid casualty to our own troops during initial breach by terrorists," the officer said.

The ministry has on November 19 called the Indian industries to make representations of their products about robotics surveillance. The ministry is pushing for indigenization to reduce dependence on imports of defence items.

The ministry has initiated the process of procuring on request of the Directorate General of Rashtriya Rifles, the country's premier counterinsurgency force raised on October 1, 1990 when militancy in Jammu and Kahmir was at its peak and the local law enforcement and paramilitary agencies were unable to contain it. The force is exclusively engaged in counter-terror operations in the Valley.

Robotics surveillance inputs for Rashtriya Rifles

The officer also stated that the robotics surveillance will have the "provision of realtime intelligence inputs for Rashtriya Rifles operations in residential and commercial areas where terrorists are holed up". The force would use these robots in built-up areas — residential and commercial areas — for also gathering real-time intelligence inputs prior to movement of troops.

Rashtriya Rifles is also looking for precise delivery of suitable munition through the robotics platform during counter-insurgency operations. "The platform must be capable of delivering a suitable munition at the intended target, for example, throwing grenade at places where the terrorists are holed up," the officer said.

These robotics surveillance platforms will comprise a launch unit, surveillance camera to provide input in both day and night mode and transmission system, with range between 150 meters and 200 meters. "Interestingly, it will help in dynamic realtime monitoring of terrorist activities during operations," the officer said.

Further, it should be light-weight, rugged and portable and at the same time, shockproof to withstand firing or attacks from terrorists. "It should also transmit visual data to a distance of about 150-200 meters across four walls, facility to rotate 360 degress and pan and tilt," the officer added.
 

WolfPack86

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Indian Army Approved Development of AI-Powered Robots for Offensive & Defensive Operation
With the approval of the construction of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered unmanned autonomous land robots, the Indian Army has made a tremendous advancement towards the future. With their ability to perform both defensive and offensive tasks, these robots have the potential to completely transform the Indian military.

There are many benefits of integrating AI into land robots. These robots are capable of operating in dangerous conditions, completing jobs faster and more precisely, and even participating in war. Because of their own intelligence, they are able to make decisions instantly and change course on their own without the need for human assistance.

The Indian Army sees a variety of functions for these AI-powered robots. They might serve as reconnaissance units in offensive operations, obtaining intelligence and locating enemy targets. In addition, they might be used to launch targeted strikes, suppressive fire, or even penetrate defences.

In a defensive role, these robots can patrol borders and protect important infrastructure. They can also be utilised to find and remove mines, greatly lowering the danger to human soldiers. Furthermore, in times of conflict, their ability to deliver medical care and first aid in isolated locations may effectively save many lives.

There are unique difficulties involved in creating and implementing such sophisticated robots. Ethical concerns about autonomous weapons, the necessity for effective cybersecurity measures, and ensuring seamless interface with existing military systems are critical areas that must be carefully considered and developed.

Still, the advantages of AI-powered land robots are significantly greater than the drawbacks. The Indian Army may greatly increase soldier safety, boost operational effectiveness, and obtain a decisive advantage in the contemporary battlefield by adopting this technology.
 

WolfPack86

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Made-in-India UGV ECARS to conduct border surveillance for Indian Army | Key details here
The Special UGV ECARS has been made in two different versions equipped to operate in different types of terrains.


Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently unveiled the Enhanced Collaborative Autonomous Rover System (ECARS) in an annual North Tech Symposium at IIT Jammu. The specially designed ECARS is a cutting-edge 4X4 multi-terrain operative unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), which has been developed by Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd from Pune.

The North Tech Symposium is an annual event jointly organised by the Indian Army’s Headquarters of Northern Command, the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and IIT-Jammu. It offers a platform for defence manufacturers, industry experts and academicians to deliberate upon the requirements of the Indian Army. The event comprises several product launches, military equipment displays and exhibitions. The UGV ECARS were displayed at the recently concluded symposium.

The developer of UGV ECARS, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd is a fully owned subsidiary of Bharat Forge, which stands at the forefront of innovation in the field of autonomous military technology. ECARS is designed to perform a wide range of missions such as surveillance, security, rescue operations and safety.

The ECARS is an unmanned ground vehicle as it has no person sitting in the vehicle while operated. However, it is armed with an enhanced collision avoidance system and advanced mission planning capabilities that allow the vehicle to be used for a wide range of military operations. The speed of ECARS ranges between 16 and 20 kilometres per hour, along with a payload capacity of 350 Kg and a towing payload capacity of 500 Kg.

This special UGV is equipped with modern equipment that would help to keep an eye on the border areas of the country, which can soon be used by the Indian Army on the required sites. Currently, a few European countries have been using this feature for border safety. ECARS is made in two different versions, one of which is the wheel version that consists of tyres, while the other version has been designed to be operated in the snowy mountains.

With the help of ECARS, the Indian Army personnel will be able to keep surveillance in a longer range of about 10 kilometres, without even deploying any soldier. Apart from that the vehicle has its own self-defence mechanism through which it can respond to the enemies through fire-fighting and chemical spraying to safeguard itself.
 

WolfPack86

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Well the research and development establishment of India has developed the "RUDRA", a new gun mounted remotely operated vehicle.

The RUDRA is especially designed for Army and Paramilitary forces to provide an autonomous vehicle to perform counter insurgency operations, hostage situations and hold-ups within buildings reducing risk for the soldiers

RUDRA unmanned ground vehicle






The RUDRA can be used with its LOS (Line Of Sight) to a maximum range of 500 m and 200 m in urban area with a maximum endurance of 3 hours.

The RUDRA uses a 6x6 wheeled platform which able the vehicle to be used in all-terrain as well as suitable for urban environment.
 

WolfPack86

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Meet UXOR: DRDO robot to defuse bombs up to 1,000 kg; UNEXPLODED ORDINANCE HANDLING ROBOT
 

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Indian Defence News:Kaveri 2.0 Engine Success ,Zorawar Light tank Testing,Drdo MMMA/MRMRA aircraft
 

WolfPack86

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Defence & Homeland Security
Shvana can be effectively used by various divisions of armed forces for:
  • Strategic area monitoring
  • Border patrol & surveillance
  • Tactical situations
  • Explosive detection
  • Search and rescue operations
Shvana also offers the possibility of carrying EW (electronic warfare) payloads, munitions etc. Shvana is designed to carry a 9mm gun and can be modified to carry a carbine to be deployed in combat.
Advanced target tracking software helps track targets in real time to take offensive actions. With onboard image recognition capabilities, it can distinguish between friend and foe.
 

WolfPack86

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Indian Army's unmanned 'STRIKE' for Ladakh-like high-altitude challenges
The Indian Army is looking for unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) to assist infantry troops in high-altitude areas as part of the experiment "Strike."


The Indian Army is on the lookout for Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) to assist infantry troops in high-altitude areas with surveillance, tactical reconnaissance, targeting enemy positions, delivering critical supplies, and carrying out rapid evacuations.

The need for such a platform stems from the difficulties encountered in Ladakh, such as incidents involving a military clash with China at heights of over 15,000 feet.

The army's requirements for the platform state that the unmanned ground vehicles, or UGVs, should be able to carry a load of 250500 kg and should be able to operate in high altitude areas along the northern borders—a reference to the frontier with China.

A weapon platform variant mounted with a machine gun has also been listed as one of the requirements that the UGVs should have.

Twelve Indian companies will showcase 35 such platforms to the Indian Army in Babina from December 9-14 in an experiment called "Strike"—surveillance, tactical recce, intelligence, kinetic effect, and evacuation systems.


“Over 30 different types of unmanned ground vehicles will be showcased by the developers, and these will be imbedded with sub-units for tactical exploitation. The experiment involves various categories of UGVs, viz., surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence, kinetic effect, logistics, casualty evacuation,” said an official.

The unmanned vehicle that the army is looking for should perform recce and surveillance and have a load carrier aimed at last-mile delivery and casualty evacuation.

According to the army's requirements, the UGV should be able to operate in varied terrain conditions, including deserts, plains, mountainous and high-altitude areas, existing along our borders.

The army wants the vehicles to be operated remotely as well as in an autonomous mode.

The unmanned vehicles can also be used for explosive detection and neutralisation of improvised explosive devices. The army has stated that a robotic arm with the capacity to lift a minimum weight of 5 kg is a must.

The requirements further state that it should be able to place explosives and carry out remote detonations of identified IEDs and mines.
 

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Indian Defence Updates : 700 Autonomous Combat Vehicle,AMCA Quantum Jump,DRDO UGCV,Improved Su-75
 

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Defense Updates : Work on AMCA leading edge, Argentina want Tejas, Kalyani ECARS UGV army, ATAGS
 

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