US Army Standoff Robotic Explosive Hazard Detection System tests
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) conducts rapid and thorough testing of Standoff Robotic Explosive Hazard Detection System (SREHD), an explosive detecting semi-autonomous system that not only detects things like land mines and improvised explosive devices, but also neutralizes them.
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) test officer Robert Archiable prepares for a test run of the Standoff Robotic Explosive Hazard Detection System (SREHD), an explosive detecting semi-autonomous system that not only detects things like land mines and improvised explosive devices, but also neutralizes them. (Picture U.S. Mod )
Whereas previous mine-detecting robots only sported a single camera and a five-jointed mechanical arm for interrogating threats, the SREHD boasts stereoscopic cameras that provide a Soldier a three dimensional representation of the terrain being scanned on a handheld computer device and sophisticated sensors that help them discriminate between threatening devices and innocuous pieces of debris. A microphone mounted to the robot enables an operator to hear sounds in the vicinity of the system, too.
The SREHD methodically scans an area and marks a cleared trail with blue dye. If a threat is detected, the robot sprays an X on the ground to mark the spot: the Soldier operating the device can choose to retreat the vehicle and remotely detonate the discovered threat, or continue scanning before retreating and detonate multiple threats at once.
During , Soldiers from the 92nd Engineering Battalion at Fort Stewart, Ga. put the SREHD through its paces as they would in a route clearance convoy in combat areas, running the platforms across sandy trails and rugged washes and steep wahdis filled with stones and rocks, dead wood, thick brush, and other naturally-occurring debris. The recommendations of the Soldiers and test officers were rapidly incorporated into the system, which is currently undergoing additional testing in the same punishing environment.