DRDO'S Mobile Autonomous Robot System (MARS)
Research and Development Establishment (R&DE), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) based in Pune, has developed an intelligent and rugged robotic system that can handle mines and IEDs and can be controlled from very far distances while operating in hostile conflict conditions.
Armed forces and security agencies, including paramilitary forces and police, often face situations where suspicious objects need to be identified, handled and transported to some distance. The Electro-Mechanical Systems Group, from the R&DE, which is based in Dighi in Pune, has recently developed a Mobile Autonomous Robot System (MARS), a rugged vehicle which in its basic form looks like golf cart with green armour, but is actually a very useful tool in conflict scenario.
Speaking to Newsline, R&DE scientist MK Roy who is part of the team that has worked on the development on MARS, said, “The word ‘autonomous’ in its name is there for a reason. The machine can operate on its own and has an in-built programme that guides the mechanical system. MARS can see, identify and then pick up the suspicious object which can then be transported to a designated location. With some add-ons, this system can even be used to dig the ground for the object and defuse the Improvised Explosive Device by various methods. MARS actually creates a 3-dimensional image of the object before it handles it.”
Scientists say that with basic mechanical additions, it can take several roles and can adapt for any terrain to operate in.
MARS was displayed at the Multinational Field Exercise that concluded in Pune recently and had Humanitarian Mine Action (MHA) as one of its focus areas and will also be displayed in the Defence Expo to be held in Goa.
Several countries in the South East Asia have the problem of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and in such scenarios MARS can be very useful.
In India, several insurgency and terrorism affected areas and regions affected by Left Wing Extremism, face the problem of IEDs. MARS can be a useful tool for paramilitary forces, central police agencies and local police in these regions.
MARS can be operated from very long distances once a telecommunications system is fitted on it.
Along with Roy, the core team comprises of group leader VV Parlikar and MM Kuber. Roy says that everything that MARS uses, right from the algorithm and programme which runs it to the body and arms, have been developed in-house, thus giving the laboratory the liberty to make changes as per specific requirements of the security agencies.
The R&DE will transfer the technology of MARS to the industry for manufacturing in the future, scientists from the laboratory said.