Intelligent modular manipulation systems provider RE2 has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programme by the US Army to develop a small, high-speed, unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) with a manipulator arm.

RE2 says the goal of the High-Speed Inspection Robot (HSIR)programme is to bridge the gap between existing UGVs, which are either fast reconnaissance vehicles with simple payloads or slower EOD vehicles with limited mobility and complex manipulators.

The 18-month programme, worth US$730,000, will see RE2 develop and demonstrate a small high-speed inspection robot with a manipulator arm.

By staff writer