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MARCbot
Demolition vehicle From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Multi-function Agile Remote-Controlled Robot (MARCbot) is a military robot created by Exponent Inc. for the United States Army Rapid Equipping Force.[1][2]
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Design
The MARCbot was designed as a low cost robotic platform used in Iraq for the inspection of suspicious objects.[1][4] Until its creation when US Army patrols encountered a potential improvised explosive device, they had to either wait for a specialist explosive ordnance disposal team with its specialist / expensive robots, or investigate the suspicious package themselves.[1] Exponent worked with the Rapid Equipping Force to create a low-cost robot for patrol units.[1] Over 1000 MARCbots were eventually created for the US Army for the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.[1] The MARCbot reputedly costs $19,000 - however this is less than other contemporary military robots.[3]
The MARCbot is one of smallest and most commonly used robots in Iraq and looks like a small toy truck with an elevated mast on which a camera is mounted.[5] This camera is used to look, for example, behind doors or through windows without placing human soldiers in danger.[6] It is capable of running for 6 hours on a set of fully charged batteries and was developed with the input of soldiers in Iraq to meet their needs.
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Use as an offensive weapon
The MARCbot was the first ground robot to draw blood in Iraq.[7] One unit jury-rigged a Claymore antipersonnel mine on their units. If they suspected an ambush they would send the robot ahead. If an insurgent was seen the Claymore would be detonated.
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References
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