Experimental mobile robotic platform “Marker”.
A demonstration sample of a grouping of ground-based robotic systems was tested in Russia. The group involved five Marker robotic platforms – three on a wheeled chassis and two on a tracked one. The robots autonomously solved the tasks of distributing targets in a group and reaching optimal firing positions, independently responding to operational changes in the combat situation, and redistributing targets. The robots operated due to the equipment and technical vision equipment installed on board.
Based on the results of the exercises, the developers came to the conclusion that the use of a group of percussion robots in an automatic mode makes it possible to achieve the effect of emergence, that is, the appearance of properties in the system that are not inherent in its elements separately.
In the future, it is planned to conduct joint tests of a group of robots and unmanned aerial vehicles, this will increase the quantitative and qualitative indicators of reconnaissance.
Earlier, in September, 20 launches of multi-rotor drones were successfully completed from the Marker, and experiments were carried out to control vehicles using reconnaissance, control and communications systems. It was also reported that a module with unmanned aerial vehicles can be installed on the “Marker”, which provides an autonomous launch of a large group of unmanned aerial vehicles. Each of them can perform tasks both as part of a group and individually. In the future, the complex can be armed with kamikaze strike drones.
In May this year, the “Marker” successfully passed a series of fire tests, during which they fired from a machine gun in an automatic mode, as well as under the control of an operator. In addition, the robotic platform worked out autonomous movement around the range, target acquisition and firing at stationary and moving targets.
Currently, the “Marker” can be controlled from a distance of two to five kilometers. But the developers want to teach the robot to perform tasks at a distance of hundreds and thousands of kilometers from a person. At the same time, the weapons installed on it must have selective defeat and high-precision shooting. It will be able to destroy only specified targets, thus reducing the danger to civilians.
The Marker Advanced Research Foundation project was launched in March 2018. The platform is designed in a modular fashion. In the future, such a technical solution will make it possible to quickly replace the payload, surveillance systems, and also modernize the robot. The platform integrates remote control facilities, an autopilot, a computer complex, a vision system, etc. The composition of the equipment can be changed to carry out certain studies.
The main task of the project is to conduct a full-scale development of technologies and basic elements of promising ground-based robotic systems. “Marker” must be able to work with small arms and destroy ground and air targets.
The Marker robotic platform is a joint project of the FPI and the Android Technology Research and Production Association, which developed the Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research (FEDOR) product, which flew to the International Space Station in August 2019. More it is known under the name “Robot Fedor”.
In October, it was reported that the “Marker” is being tested at the Vostochny cosmodrome as a security robot. The devices are applicable to ensure the safety of spaceports, enterprises and other facilities of national importance.
Information source: https://ria.ru/
