Servo - August 2008

GEERHEAD

This Operator Control Unit (OCU) is the SWORD’s wireless remote control, fitted with a hard-shell case. Notice the antenna, numerous controls for driving and manipulating the SWORD combat robot, and the multiple split screens for viewing everything the robot’s cameras pick up.

40 mm “less lethal” grenade ammunition, bean bags, smoke, star clusters (illumination), tear gas, pepper spray, and M240B medium machine gun warning shots. This type of confrontation is purposed against the enemy with the weapons/guns pointed upward as if to fire warning shots. For lethal firepower, MAARS weapons are pointed directly at their targets, firing 40 mm high-explosive grenades or 400 rounds of 7. 62 mm shells from the M240B medium machine gun.

Where SWORDS came with weapons optional, MAARS come with four grenade launchers, a machine gun, and less lethal defenses attached.

The MAARS robot is remote controlled to over a kilometer away from the operator, putting a safety buffer between the soldier-operator and the point of immediate contact with the aggressor. This increases the soldier’s ability to survey the war zone, confront the aggressor from a distance, and survive the battle.

robot on a uni-body frame/chassis
with a simple, plug-and-play design
for quick assembly with new
accessories and attachments that
may become available. The uni-body
construction makes access to the
battery and electronics
easy and efficient. The
MAARS has a larger
payload bay area
than SWORDS,
higher torque for
faster travel, and
improved braking
capability. The
robot’s remote
control system is
user-friendly,
intuitive, and digital
for quick uptake by
military personnel.
The new Digital
Control Unit (DCU)
— the remote
control device the

Here is the mighty SWORD with cameras, machine gun, ammo case, tracks, antennae, and identifying US flag emblem.

This drawing of the SWORDS robot identifies key parts and systems, many of which are duplicated or enhanced on the new MAARS robot.

MAARS Mechanics

Foster-Miller constructed the

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

The real ancestor of the MAARS robot is the TALON robot for military, police, and emergency rescue. From these, Foster-Miller developed the SWORDS bots. The SWORDS originally topped out at 120 lbs., though they packed a mighty punch through the Small Mobile Weapons Systems (SMWS) they employed.

At about $230,000 per unit, SWORDS offered front and rear cameras with night vision, thermal vision, and wide angle views and zoom lenses. On its rugged tank tracks and powered by a lithium ion battery, the SWORDS can run for four hours with a maximum velocity of 5.2 mph.