Singapore has successfully tested the Packbot battlefield robot, which can replace humans in dangerous areas, study the terrain, and relay information back to military commanders.
Engineers at the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) stated that the video footage transmitted from these robots to military forces has helped commanders identify locations and eliminate “enemies” – simulated targets set up for the trial.
Each Packbot is no larger than the famous R2-D2 robot from the Star Wars movies. Weighing approximately 30kg, it moves quite quietly with agile steps and can traverse inclines. Its “eyes” consist of a camera that can zoom in on images up to 30 times. The Packbot is also equipped with a night vision device controllable by the operator from a distance of 600 meters.
“We have tested the Packbot in real operational environments, and soldiers can provide feedback so we can improve it if they find it lacking in any way,” said the program director for Packbot manufacturing at DSTA.
According to Sergeant Seow Hong Da, this small robot “can enter dangerous areas, study the terrain, and relay information back to us while we remain in a safe and advantageous position.”
