Details have emerged into the public domain of a new military robot design capable of jumping heights in excess of 25 feet and, thus, capable of sailing over fences, walls and other structures. This small robot is intended for future US military service and - named the Precision Urban Hopper - is the product of Sandia National Laboratories. Future Precision Urban Hoppers, though, will be built by Boston Dynamics - a US firm that specialises in robotics.

Military Robotics

"We are delighted to win this project and get a chance to work with Sandia on such a novel and potentially useful robot", Boston Dynamics president Marc Raibert commented in a press release timed with the news that his company would be taking this military robotics technology further. "The program gives us a chance to apply our special brand of advanced controls and stabilization to a system that can help our warfighters in the near future."

The Precision Urban Hopper is about the size of a typical shoebox, and features a based-mounted piston that drives it into the air. According to military researchers, it has the potential to make a real difference in urban warfare, or similar military operations taking place in confined spaces. In particular, its ability to act as a surveillance/reconnaissance platform could act to lower the numbers of troops injured or killed as a result of tracking enemy forces.

Precision Urban Hopper

Sandia National Laboratories have put the Precision Urban Hopper through a variety of tests involving various types of surface. Among the issues faced were ensuring that the robot could survive the impact of its landing, and that its jump height from different types of terrain could be controlled.

The robot's movements are guided by GPS and, to some extent, it is capable of choosing its own mission profile (in other words, it has partial autonomy).

"The Precision Urban Hopper is part of a broad effort to bolster the capabilities of troops and Special Forces engaged in urban combat, giving them new ways to operate unfettered in the urban canyon", Sandia program manager, Jon Salton, stated.

Outside of the military, the Precision Urban Hopper also has potential applications in the fields of security, law enforcement, geographical research and search and rescue, Salton added.

The Precision Urban Hopper should start to enter US military service around autumn 2010.

Armed Forces International's Technology Correspondent

Precision Urban Hopper Image provided by and copyright of Sandia National Laboratories

See also:

Ultra Hi-Res Military Surveillance Technology for US Army

US Military Robot Technologies Showcased