The Spiral Track Autonomous Robot (STAR)
size: 38 inches square and 30 inches high
price tag: $15,000
see me in action
The STAR uses two screws (one left-hand screw and one right-hand screw) to
propel itself along the ground. Rotating the screws in different directions
allows the robot to move forwards, backwards, left and right—as well as to
rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise while standing in place. It can climb
steep terrain and operates effectively over mud, sand, soil, and rocky ground.
The screws are hollow, which gives the vehicle enough buoyancy to negotiate
water-logged terrain as well as rivers and streams. A team of engineers
developed STAR at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. Speed: 133 feet
per minute when moving sideways, 20 feet per minute when
moving forward or backwards.
STAR can be controlled remotely or can control itself autonomously. During
remote operation, an operator controls the robot using a wireless data link
attached to a laptop computer. The operator can view the surrounding
environment via a wireless video. In the autonomous mode, STAR is given start
and end points and can then plan its own path independently.
See Me in Action
- STAR can be equipped with video cameras, microphones and infrared
- It can also employ radiation and gas sensors.
- The robot can also be equipped with Micropower Impulse Radar (MIR) land
mine detection technology (which was also developed at the Lawrence Livermore
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back | I'm ready to play
Photos: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
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