Robots are major players in U.S. military strategy.

• Author: Farrell, Lawrence P., Jr.
• Position: PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

* The Defense Department is serious about robotics. The use of robots in warfare has long ceased to be a topic for science fiction and the technology has now become an essential component of the U.S. arsenal.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently gave unmanned vehides a resounding endorsement. As he announced the slowdown or termination of several big-ticket programs, he also voiced his intent to strengthen the nation's commitment to robotics technology. Gates proposed that more funds be allocated to field an additional 50 Predator class unmanned aerial vehicle orbits. He wants to increase the procurement of Predators by 62 percent over the current level. Even more significantly, he is shifting procurement of these systems to the baseline budget--away from supplemental funding. This solidifies the Pentagon's long-term financial support for UAVs.

Gates also signaled he will back efforts to develop and deploy ground robots in greater numbers. The Army has a number of robots in the works under the Future Combat Systems program. Even though Secretary Gates intends to restructure the FCS, he will leave the sensors and robotics pieces in place--and these programs will most likely be expanded.

The excitement about the future of unmanned technology was evident at the recent NDIA robotics symposium in Dallas, Texas. The industry chairman of the event was retired Navy Vice Adm. Joe Dyer, vice president for government programs at iRobot. The Defense Department was represented by Tony Melita, from the office of the undersecretary of defense for land warfare and munitions, and Ellen Purdy, enterprise director for joint ground robotics.

The conference initially focused on ways to ensure and accelerate the adoption of new systems. More specifically, the objective was to understand what government and industry could do to speed up the deployment of more capable robotic technology. Geoffrey Moore, a respected author who specializes in business and technology, discussed the successful models, investment and management techniques that have proved successful in "crossing the chasm" from early adopters, to the early majority of those who become a critical mass of pragmatic practitioners. Once this latter group is on board, the technology is on its way to acceptance by the larger market. One could make the case that robotics is in its early adoption phase.

Soldiers who had successfully used robots in the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan participated in a...