Military robots gain speed.

• Position: TECHWIRE

EXPLORING TECHNOLOGY IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Time can be of the essence when operators are using robots to go downrange to investigate a roadside bomb.

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An Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center small business innovative research grant has resulted in the ForeRunner robot that travels at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour, said William Wedler, a mechanical engineer at Pittsburgh, Pa.-based re2 Inc.

TARDEC initiated the project to determine how much speed and maneuverability could be combined into one robot.

"This is not just a high speed vehicle," Wedler said. Along with being fast for a ground robot, the requirements called for near omni-directional steering at low speeds, he said.

The company solved this with an independent suspension and four-wheel drive.

Reeg Allen, director of business development at the company, said the computer kicks into...