Korean Agency for Defence Development (ADD) has announced development of an autonomous robot. I translate by Google ADD media information.

Defense Science Research Institute secures autonomous tunnel exploration technology that opens the way to unknown places

-Development of autonomous tunnel exploration technology that allows robots to grasp information and create maps on their own-

□ The Defense Science Research Institute (ADD, Director Park Jong-seung) has secured ATE: Autonomous Tunnel Exploration (ATE) technology through the Defense Acquisition Program Administration's core technology project from '19 to '22. Autonomous tunnel exploration technology is a technology that can use a robot to explore an area without topographic information, detect risks, and create a three-dimensional map of the exploration area.

□ The technology developed this time is evaluated as a revolutionary advancement of existing technology by enabling autonomous driving and exploration of robots without prior information even in caves and underground facilities where GPS signals cannot be received.

○ ADD confirmed its performance through a test conducted in an actual cave of about 1.5 km. It has succeeded in recognizing various types of dangerous objects, detecting contaminated areas, and creating a three-dimensional map with a resolution of several centimeters.

□ This research was conducted as an international joint research between ADD and the US Ground Vehicle System Center (GVSC). Korea and the United States applied common middleware*, interface, and data format to both robots in consideration of cooperation for cultivating future robot-based joint operation capabilities. developed with

* Middleware: Robot operation processing software

○ ADD designed/manufactured a modular robot that can change shape according to functions and tasks through its own research and development, and installed the latest AI technology-based recognition, judgment, and exploration software on the robot. In addition, in terms of operation and operation, remote control is possible from a mobile phone or tablet, allowing one operator to operate multiple robots at the same time.

□ Robots to which the newly developed autonomous tunnel exploration technology is applied can be used in underground facility operations and urban battles in the future defense field to secure the safety of combatants and dramatically increase operational efficiency. In the private sector, it can also be used in places where human access is difficult, such as disaster sites or nuclear power plant facilities, to identify damage and detect pollutants.

□ Autonomous tunnel exploration technology, which is integrated with artificial intelligence technology, will be applied to the development of unmanned systems for various missions that converge ground robots and drones in future battlefield situations using unmanned robots. It will develop into an autonomous robot system that protects and safety.

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