DST partners to develop robotic system
Australia's Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group has teamed up with academia and industry for the development of a prototype robotic teaming system that can provide autonomous perimeter and base protection capabilities, it was announced on 4 July.
The system builds on Agent Oriented Software (AOS) Group’s intelligent Watchdog (iWD) concept. It integrates DST’s knowledge of human-machine teaming, Deakin University’s expertise in intelligent systems, Insitu’s platform technologies and AOS’ intelligent agent expertise, a statement said. The system allows unmanned ground and air vehicles and unattended ground sensors to work in concert to detect and conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).
Apart from defence operations, the system also has applications in agriculture, mining and emergency management. The partnership is part of DST's contribution, under the Trusted Autonomy Strategic Research Initiative, to the Autonomy Strategic Challenge trials being held in November 2018. DST will also utilise learnings from this system in its other unmanned systems to support ISR operations in urban environments.
Simon Ng, defence scientist, said: ‘The capability will be demonstrated to key navy and air force stakeholders in mid-2016. Plans are in place to continue development of key underlying technologies inherent in this system as part of DST’s strategy to facilitate the transition of autonomous technologies into defence capability.’
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)]()
Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)
Cummings Aerospace presented its turbojet-powered Hellhound loitering munition at SOF Week 2025, offering a man-portable solution aligned with the US Army’s LASSO requirements.
-
![SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale]()
SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale
PDW has revealed its Attritable Multirotor First Person View drone at SOF Week 2025, offering special operations forces a low-cost, rapidly deployable platform for strike and ISR missions, inspired by battlefield lessons from Ukraine.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions]()
SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions
Teledyne FLIR is highlighting the emerging requirements for 'recoverable and re-usable' loitering munitions across the contemporary operating environment during this week’s SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida.
-
![SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America]()
SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America
High-performance maritime industry player Kraken Technology Group, based in the UK, has used the SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida this week to debut its K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to the North American market.
-
![Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military]()
Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military
Red Cat and Palladyne AI recently conducted a cross-platform collaborative flight involving three diverse heterogeneous drones.
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
