“It’s been less than a month since the Marines flew their first robotic supply helicopter on its debut combat mission in Afghanistan,” David Axe reports for Wired. “Already, the amphibious combat branch is working on the next generation of pilotless cargo copter — one that’s an order of magnitude more sophisticated, and can be controlled by an iPad or other tablet.”
“The idea is to produce a set of sensors, software, computers and controls that can be installed aboard almost any Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing aircraft, including helicopters and potentially tiltrotors or even ducted-fan vehicles,” Axe reports. “If the project works out as planned, the AACUS [Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System] supply robots will fly between combat outposts with no direct human control, scanning their surroundings, detecting obstacles and enemies and even zooming in for quick deliveries after spending only seconds mapping out a landing zone using lasers, radar or other sensors. The ‘bots will only need people to tell them when and where to deliver something, by tapping out a few commands on a smart tablet.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Arline M.” for the heads up.]
I for one welcome our new robot overlords!
I want one too!
Skynet is coming!
Semper i
+1 Chortle.
Awesome.
The gumming will probably buy an overpriced windoze thingy.