Skip to main content

Autonomous ATV aids hazardous route clearance missions

In another application for autonomous vehicles, Oshkosh Defense has integrated its TerraMax unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) technology into an Oshkosh MRAP all-terrain vehicle (M-ATV) to demonstrate capabilities for route-clearance missions. M-ATV and other heavy and medium tactical wheeled vehicles equipped with TerraMax UGV technology enables one or multiple vehicles in a route clearance convoy to operate autonomously, resulting in fewer troops exposed to threats. The technology is designed as a modul
May 14, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
In another application for autonomous vehicles, Oshkosh Defense has integrated its TerraMax unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) technology into an Oshkosh MRAP all-terrain vehicle (M-ATV) to demonstrate capabilities for route-clearance missions.

M-ATV and other heavy and medium tactical wheeled vehicles equipped with TerraMax UGV technology enables one or multiple vehicles in a route clearance convoy to operate autonomously, resulting in fewer troops exposed to threats.

The technology is designed as a modular kit that can be integrated into modern production vehicles or retrofitted on to legacy platforms. Vehicles equipped with the TerraMax UGV technology can seamlessly collaborate with manned vehicles to carry out missions at full operational pace. TerraMax UGVs function autonomously across varying terrains and in all weather conditions, day or night and original vehicle payload and performance are retained.

The TerraMax UGV system can be enhanced to intelligently incorporate counter-IED payloads such as ground-penetrating radar and mine rollers. The TerraMax operator control unit also can provide over-the-horizon situational awareness to accompanying manned vehicles. The system is highly interoperable, using a widely adopted, non-proprietary open architecture messaging standard that enables modularity and easy integration of new subsystems.

“The clearance of threats like IEDs, mines and unexploded munitions pose challenges that global military forces have faced since World War II, and are expected to continue long after Afghanistan,” said John Urias, president of Oshkosh Defense. “Our TerraMax UGV technology can bring autonomous capabilities to existing manned vehicle platforms, like the M-ATV, to remove troops from targeted routes and provide greater standoff distance from explosive threats. It also has force-multiplication benefits with one operator controlling several vehicles, so logistics operations can be successfully completed with fewer troops.”

Related Content

  • The case for integrating urban traffic control and parking
    February 3, 2012
    Although urban traffic control and parking management are inextricably linked in so many ways, there remain fundamental differences which undermine closer integration. Car parking guidance systems can have a significant, positive impact on congestion in town and city centres, however conflicting business models still stand in the way of the more profound integration of car parking management and Urban Traffic Control (UTC) systems.
  • Idex launches CV platform to aid emergency services
    May 3, 2018
    US equipment provider Idex Fire & Safety has launched a connected vehicle platform to help first responders working in fire and emergency medical services carry out safer and more efficient operations. Captium, built on the Microsoft Azure Government cloud platform, is intended to allow responders to share key data and via a web and mobile dashboard, offering secure over-the-air updates. Jeff Zook, marketing manager for connected solutions at Idex, says: “Real-time access to the health of networked
  • Space transport systems: a new frontier
    November 12, 2024
    What would transport systems look like in space settlements? And what can that tell us about transport now on Earth? Dimitrios Milakis, of the Institute of Transport Research, looks for answers in the stars
  • Covid-19 and transportation: Maintaining critical operations in times of crisis
    September 12, 2020

     

    What were the major impacts of Covid-19 on transportation?

    At the peak of the shutdowns, passenger use of airports and mass transit was down 90 per cent. Use of roads by private vehicles was 60 per cent lower and use of commercial vehicles was down 10 per cent. Public transit was down 76 per cent and had to keep operating to get essential workers to their places of employment.