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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Robots Get Their Own Surge

Military wants 3000 new war-bots ASAP

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(Newser) – The military wants more robots, and it wants them fast. The Pentagon is looking to enlist more small, maneuverable 'bots that can look out for insurgents and bombs—1,000 by the end of this year and 2,000 more over the next five years, Wired reports. The military is kicking off a competition for the 'bot-building contract, which will be awarded in September.

Specs for the 'bots say they heed to be able to "look into the window of a vehicle" and peek "under a vehicle undercarriage." There are already several different kinds of military 'bots in service that could fit the bill; a favorite to win are the packbots made by the iRobot company. Just weeks ago the military let on that it has also deployed armed robots in Iraq.

Since 2006, robots have performed over 30,000 missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, including checking for explosives, as seen here.
Since 2006, robots have performed over 30,000 missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, including checking for explosives, as seen here.   (Getty Images)
The robot
The robot "surge" will consist of 3000 more robots to test for explosives and other tasks. This announcement comes shortly after the military revealed that some of the robots deployed had in fact been...   (Getty Images)
A robot named Fido climbs a set of steps at GEM City Manufacturing, Monday, March 26, 2007, in Dayton, Ohio. The robots are being used in Iraq and Afghanistan for everything from searching caves, checking buildings for insurgents, and detecting and defusing roadside bombs. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
A robot named Fido climbs a set of steps at GEM City Manufacturing, Monday, March 26, 2007, in Dayton, Ohio. The robots are being used in Iraq and Afghanistan for everything from searching caves, checking...   (Associated Press)
Technician Ken Flucas operates a robot named Fido at GEM City Manufacturing, Monday, March 26, 2007, in Dayton, Ohio. The robots are being used in Iraq and Afghanistan for everything from searching caves, checking buildings for insurgents, and detecting and defusing roadside bombs. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Technician Ken Flucas operates a robot named Fido at GEM City Manufacturing, Monday, March 26, 2007, in Dayton, Ohio. The robots are being used in Iraq and Afghanistan for everything from searching caves,...   (Associated Press)
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