What's next for the Pentagon after the Replicator programme?
Although the Replicator initiative has made several accomplishments, there are still multiple gaps to plug across the US Department of Defense (DoD) and its services.
iRobot has developed a universal control system for its line of defence and security robots, called the uPoint Multi-Robot Control (MRC) system.
The MRC system runs an Android-based app that standardises the control of any robot within the iRobot family of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). The system is built on touchscreen technology, and is designed to simplify UGV operations including driving, manipulation and inspection, allowing operators to focus more on the mission at hand.
Frank Wilson, senior vice president and general manager, defense and security, iRobot, said: ‘Success as a robot operator during high-stress, critical operations depends on precise and reliable control, so the interface needs to be intuitive. We've leveraged decades of experience working with robot operators and held dozens of user focus groups to develop the uPoint MRC system. The uPoint MRC system drives mission effectiveness by decreasing training time and increasing overall ease of use. With uPoint, you point and the robot goes.’
Features include a virtual joystick that allows users to touch and drag anywhere on the main video feed to steer the robot, predictive drive lines that help guide operators through tight spots, and autonomous driving modes including vector drive to hold a desired heading. Data can also be shared from the operator's controller to other team members or remote observers.
The system is compatible with a range of ruggedised and consumer Android-based touch-screen tablets.
Although the Replicator initiative has made several accomplishments, there are still multiple gaps to plug across the US Department of Defense (DoD) and its services.
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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.
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.
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.
Red Cat and Palladyne AI recently conducted a cross-platform collaborative flight involving three diverse heterogeneous drones.