iRobot's New SUGV Robot Can Drive Itself with 3D Laser Vision

Thomas Allen

iRobot Corporation (Nasdaq: IRBT) has developed an all-new, optional "autonomy payload" known as "Awarehead" for its Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV), according to a new video interview with the company. The new semi-autonomous SUGV, which features 3D stereo laser vision, GPS and other sensors, can drive itself, freeing up soldiers for other tasks.

"I can click a point on a map, and the robot will go there," said iRobot's hunky program manager Thomas Allen, in an interview with Engineering TV. And it will do it "without hitting people, objects or falling into holes."

The SUGV will even pick up items once directed to do so via a 3D-based visual controller system.

The new self-navigation capability frees up soldiers for other tasks, Allen said. The new payload allows soldiers to spend just 10% of their time on the robot. Robots already in the field in Iraq and Afghanistan are essentially dumb, remote controlled vehicles that require soldiers to spend 90% of their time driving them.

iRobot's Autonomy Payload

"It's really a huge leap forward in taking robots from a direct operator intervention item to really a more autonomous team member that can be tasked at a high level and execute commands on its own," Allen said. 

The new payload also makes a map of the area, takes videos, and can spotlight suspicious objects, and the map can then be shared with central command and other units, Allen said. The robot also features wide angle zoom, radio, optional night vision, and ports for additional sensors, such as chemical and biological sensors.

Control SUGV with a touchscreen

The new autonomous capability is built on iRobot's Linux-based Aware 2 operating system platform, which Allen said is akin to Microsoft Windows for PCs and allows third-party developers to easily develop new programs on top of it. Allen also said that the new payload can also be retrofitted to "legacy" PackBots. (Seems like a huge opportunity for iRobot going forward.) One last tidbit: iRobot has sold 250 SUGVs to date.)

Closeup of the SUGV sensor package

The new technology appears to be built on the Wayfarer research project, which we've covered before here at Robot Stock News. You can click the category below for all of our Wayfarer coverage. 

Here's the video (it's 9 minutes long):