MARCbot
Demolition vehicle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| Multi-function Agile Remote-Controlled Robot [1] | |
|---|---|
MARCbot extends its camera to search for suspected improvised explosive devices | |
| Type | Demolition vehicle |
| Place of origin | United States of America (United States Army Rapid Equipping Force) [1] |
| Service history | |
| In service | Iraq, Afghanistan[1] |
| Used by | United States Army[1] |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2004 [2] |
| Manufacturer | Exponent[1] |
| No. built | Over 1000 [1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 32 lb (15 kg) [3] |
| Length | 24 in (0.61 m) [3] |
| Width | 19.5 in (0.50 m) [3] |
| Height | 13.5 in (0.34 m) [3] |
| Crew | One remote operator |
Operational range | Up to 300 m (980 ft) (Line of sight),[3] 6h on batteries[2] |
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.