Tumbleweed robot duo detect threats

Students from Manchester University have produced this prototype pair of robots for the Ministry of Defence Grand Challenge, a competition set up by the MoD to uncover new talent across the UK for military hardware use.

Its a win/win for all as the MoD get to see new kit that might otherwise fall under the radar and students get a chance to bag a load of goverment cash to develop their ideas.

The Tumbleweed entry combines two elements, a machine to roll along the ground seeking out explosive devices, able to get into dangerous tight spots and then the hovering machine which works alongside the land rolling robot to identify trouble and beam images back to base.

Each machine is totally autonomous and is a real low cost alternative to sending in expensive UAV’s into the field.

Cast an eye over the Grand Challenge entrants here

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