Industrials

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Unmanned</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;Ground Vehicles (UGVs) are vehicles intended for various land-based operations and operate without onboard human occupants. With the development of modern technological possibilities, the development and production of the UGVs are on a significant rise.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Such vehicles are being developed for both civilian and military markets</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">,&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">to perform a variety of special purposes and missions</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, which</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;are either dangerous or unsuitable&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">to be performed by</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;human crews. The UGVs are generally remotely controlled by human operators located outside the threat zone or act autonomously&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">upon</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> the environmental data collected using their own sensors.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Missions and Applications</span></strong></span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Unmanned Ground Vehicles have the enormous potential to&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">bring revolution in performing the</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;wide and diverse spectrum of challenges in the</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">civilian and military domain.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;Daily tasks in agriculture and industry, as well as critical missions in crisis management and&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">military</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;operations, can now be approached from a completely different point of view, minimizing human risk while improving task performance. Although the possible applications of UGVs are limited only by a lack of futuristic vision, it is worth mentioning some of their more common applications.</span></p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Industrial applications</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Nuclear and energy&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">plants</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;operations</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Maintenance tasks</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Transport &amp; logistic</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Construction operations</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Ore mining</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Agricultural spraying and harvesting</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Firefighting</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Crisis management</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">(CBRN) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear threats</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Crowd control</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Urban search and rescue</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">MEDEVAC (Medical evacuation)</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Counter-terrorism</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Demining&nbsp;</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Military engineering</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">(EOD) Explosive Ordnance Disposal</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Military reconnaissance and surveillance operations</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Combat operations and fire support</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Air defence</span></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Design and Manufacturing</span></strong></span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">UGVs</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;design and integrated onboard systems depend primarily on their application and&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">tasks</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;to&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">be performed</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Hovewer</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, the&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">unmanned</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> ground vehicles generally consist of the following major components:</span></p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Vehicle platform (prime mover)</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Mission-specific modules</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Sensors</span></li><li style="list-style-type: disc;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Control and communication system</span></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Vehicle Platform (prime mover)</span></strong></span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The vehicle platform design can be&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">executed,</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;as an all-terrain wheeled&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">vehicle</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;or tracked vehicle, with features&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">common</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;to construction machinery or military vehicles. It has a drivetrain system (</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">e.g.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;continuous tracks) that enables movement on the terrain.&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Vehicle</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;chassis is the main supporting structure of&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">prime</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;mover, which provides accommodation and protection to all other systems.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Vehicle drive system is based either on&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">high power</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;Diesel&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">engine</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, battery packs with electric motors, or hybrid solutions that&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">can commonly&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">be</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;seen</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;nowadays.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Other&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">major</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;systems include cooling&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">system</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, hydraulics, electronics&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">and</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;mission-specific systems.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">For military and law enforcement applications,&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">UGVs</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;prime mover often requires&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">certian</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">degree of</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;ballistic protection.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;With that in mind, the chassis is designed from special steels or light metal alloys for durability, with additional metallic or composite armor fitted for&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">protection</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">.&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Conformity of integrated protective solutions with protection levels given in standards is crucial</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">, therefore</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">,&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">special attention should be paid</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;to&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">engineering</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;and design of UGVs.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Mission-specific Modules</span></strong></span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Considering the targeted market and application of UGVs, mission-specific modules&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">and</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;mission-tailored tools are specially designed to enable the proper execution of intended tasks. Firefighting vehicles thus have large onboard tanks that can hold water or fire-retardant foam to&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">enable</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">execution</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;of firefighting missions.&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Vehicles for military engineering and demining operations&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">are equipped</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;with&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">front installed</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;gripping tools, dozer blades, demining tillers&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">and</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;flails.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Military vehicles can have various additional shields&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">installed for protection, coupled with</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;fire support weapon systems.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">From Design to Product</span></strong></span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The current expansion of UGVs&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">needs</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;in both civilian and military markets</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">,&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">is accompanied</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;by growing requirements for&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">the development of</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;new designs and industrial manufacturing capacities.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Simple&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">UGVs</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;systems can&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">be designed</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;by small companies or even individuals with limited knowledge of engineering and robotics, while complex UGVs require extensive multidisciplinary engineering&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">knowledge,</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;and are developed and manufactured&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">in</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;specialized companies.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The lack of&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">available in-house manufacturing&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">capabilities</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;coupled with</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;increased production needs</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">,&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">often&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">lead</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;to the need for outsourcing.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Considering the above, the design of UGV systems is&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">often</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;done in design companies, while production&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">is transferred</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;to large industrial plants&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">having</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;modern welding, machining, assembly and testing capabilities.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Conclusion</span></strong></span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">UGVs</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;market demands are exhibiting&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">constant</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;growth trajectory.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;New applications are&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">being discovered</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;every day, eliminating the need for human engagement when performing complex and hazardous tasks and missions. With rapid and remarkable progress in sensors and electronics, UGVs are rapidly transforming from simple remote-controlled vehicles into fully autonomous systems, able&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">to precisely navigate complex terrains and execute predetermined missions</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">.&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) also become&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">an</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;integral&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">part of</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;the cutting-edge modern UGV systems, opening up unprecedented future opportunities.</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>This article was contributed by our expert <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/damir-tomerlin-85a175b3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Damir Tomerlin</a></em></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Damir Tomerlin</span></h3><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1. What is the future scope of&nbsp;UGV?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">For&nbsp;UGVs, the future brings the expanding scope of possible applications and their increasing influence in the global market. Aside from the military and industrial markets, in which they currently play a significant role, new applications of UGVs in everyday life, such as various transport services of goods or even passengers as well as maintenance tasks, will become available. According to new specific tasks and environments, the considerable variety of new designs will appear. Due to modern technology advancement, the focus will shift to autonomy and artificial intelligence integration. Integration of UGVs with other modern technologies is a certain future direction, in order to achieve greater collaboration of different platforms. However, every technological development and advancement, including the development of UGVs, brings with it some open questions related to ethical considerations, security and public acceptance. Therefore, strong regulations, transparency of use and overcoming the technical challenges, are beneficial to ensure the proper integration of UGVs into future society.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. What are the current global market trends for&nbsp;UGVs in military and law enforcement applications, and how do geopolitical factors influence market growth and demand?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Due to their design, performances, and versatile modular capabilities, the&nbsp;UGVs have an exceptional perspective for use in military land operations. The "unmanned vehicle" factor provides an extraordinary advantage when performing missions in severe hazardous environments or complex missions that would othervise require risking of human life. Current global trends in military applications include specialized vehicles for reconnaissance, logistics support, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) threats and hazardous environments, demining and military engineering, as well as armed vehicles for combat operations and fire support, that does not require direct human involvement on the battlefield.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The UGVs for law enforcement applications are primarily focused on providing counter-terrorism missions support, MEDEVAC (Medical evacuation) and urban search and rescue. They are specially designed and adapted for use by special police teams and law-enforcement operators in predominantly urban terrain scenarios. In contrast to their military counterparts, they are not exposed to the extremely difficult conditions of the battlefield, so they can be downgraded in terms of terrain-crossing capabilities, integrated armored protection and resistance to hazardous environmental factors.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As of military UGVs, their worldwide market is experiencing constant growth. This is due to the demand for modernized robotic defense solutions without direct human involvement and thus reduced human risk. The current conflicts leave the battlefields littered with mines, unexploded ordnance and hazardous materials, and thus the growing need for specialized military engineering UGVs is present.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3. What is the armored protection of&nbsp;UGVs?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Operating in the battlefield or urban tactical environment requires that the&nbsp;UGV has a certain degree of protection from external influences (e.g. explosion shockwave / fragments, bullet / projectile impact etc.). Such armored protection is integrated through the UGV design, and has substantial similarities with armored protection solutions used in the conventional military land operating vehicles and equipment operated by human crews (e.g. Main Battle Tanks, Infantry Combat Vehicles...). General types of vehicle armor solutions are:</p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Integral armor (vehicle hull / chassis)</li><li>Modular armor (add-on armor, appliqu&eacute; armor)</li><li>Spall liners</li><li>Underbelly blast armor</li><li>Reactive Armor</li><li>Various other active and passive protective solutions</li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">Materials used in armored protective solutions are:</p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Steel (RHA (Rolled Homogenous Armor), HHA (High Hardness Armor),</li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">UHHA (Ultra-High Hardness Armor) ...)</p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Aluminium alloys</li><li>Titanium</li><li>Aramide fibers</li><li>UHMWPE polyethylene</li><li>Ceramics</li><li>Composite protective solutions</li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">Ballistic protection levels of specific protective solution, in regard to certian ballistic threats are determined and conform to standards on ballistic protection (e.g. NIJ 0108.01, VPAM, STANAG 4569 and others). Protective material solutions implemented in UGVs design must be carefully selected and tested with regard to possible threats and the level of protection that needs to be achieved.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>