Australia’s Marathon Robotics has come up with a clever way to give soldiers realistic target practice: they have turned a bunch of Segways into robots that move and react like real groups of people.
The robots, named Segway Rovers, can be programmed to act like enemy soldiers (called insurgents these days), hostages, or civilians; allowing soldiers to train in realistic conditions, including urban combat scenarios where enemy combatants are likely to be interspersed with civilians.
Although shooting at Segways may sound fun, it also sounds expensive; fortunately the robots are armored and are designed to withstand getting shot.
Marathon Robotics seems to be getting set for expansion. The Australian Department of Defense already has a range in place and the United States marine Corps will be setting one up this year.
If you just want to see one getting hit, skip to 4:45. Otherwise, watch and enjoy Dr Alex Brooks talking about having the coolest job in the world leading you through the capabilities of his amazing Segway robots.
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I didn’t know they still make the Segway. They flopped big time (never seen one in real life – never seen on for sale!) so I assumed the company which makes then had either given up on them or gone bust. Nice they’ve found someone who wants them.
I didn’t know they still make the Segway. They flopped big time (never seen one in real life – never seen on for sale!) so I assumed the company which makes then had either given up on them or gone bust. Nice they’ve found someone who wants them.