VIPeR
Encyclopedia
VIPeR is a military robot
Military robot
Military robots are autonomous robots or remote-controlled devices designed for military applications.Such systems are currently being researched by a number of militaries.-History:...

 developed by the Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...

i company Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is one of the world's largest defense electronics manufacturers and integrators. Established in 1967, and based in Haifa, Israel, Elbit employs 11,000 people worldwide....

 and intended for use in warfare. It was unveiled in March, 2007.

Testing

Elbit Systems of America showed the world capabilities of Elbit Systems' unique VIPeR Robot at the Ground Robotics Obstacle Course during the recent Modern Day Marine Conference held in Quantico, VA. This course will test the limits and capabilities of robots on the field of battle. The obstacle course included areas with different surfaces - deep sand, small gravel, brush and debris, even speed bumps. Each of the robots had to traverse each of these types of ground as well as mounting stairs and negotiating a tunnel. The VIPeR was one of eight in this test, and was one of the most efficient throughout.

Features

For mobility, the VIPeR uses a pair of combined wheel/track systems (called the "Galileo Wheel" system, a patented technology by Galileo Mobility Instrument of Israel) that change shape to adapt to terrain, and a "tail" which give it the balance to go up stairs, and turn itself over. It can also move around in city environments. Always alert and undeterred by stairs, rubble, dark alleys, caves or narrow tunnels, VIPeR is a highly effective partner for dismounted soldiers, keeping them out of harm's way by detecting IEDs and booby traps and warning them of enemies and dangers ahead.

Another feature of this robot is its ability to be packed small, it is a robot that can be carried by one man, in a backpack, including all of its gear. Elbit had made VIPeR to weigh only around 11 kg.

The intelligent, small-signature VIPeR can also be configured with weapons capability. The system is remotely controlled via a control harness and helmet mounted display. Optional payloads include: P&T, FLIR, observation day/night zoom camera, explosives sniffer, disrupter, 9 mm mini-Uzi with scope and pointer, grenade releaser, 4-foot robotic arm, gripper, in-building mapping and more.

Current plans call for the VIPeR to be used by special forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...

 units and regular infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...

 for situations that are deemed especially dangerous to human soldiers, such as exploring caves and tunnels.

The robot is remote-controlled, rather than being an autonomous robot
Autonomous robot
Autonomous robots are robots that can perform desired tasks in unstructured environments without continuous human guidance. Many kinds of robots have some degree of autonomy. Different robots can be autonomous in different ways...

.

External links

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