Dragon Runner

The MCWL has been funding the development of the Dragon RunnerTM proto-type, a breakthrough rugged, portable, invertible, reconnaissance and militaryforce-projection robot system. The system is capable of being controlledremotely in urban terrain from a remote wireless user console to carry outaround-the-corner/-block reconnaissance to assist in civil defense and militaryoperations, as well as perimeter-monitoring using motion and video sensors. Theuse of on-board tilting IR-illumination assisted camera allows it to operate in dayand nighttime. On-board motion-detectors and infrared distance-sensors providefor sentry-mode capabilities to alert the user of activity in areas being monitored.The system is designed to be rugged enough to survive throws through doors,windows, up and down stairs and drops from more than 10 feet; an integral han-dle allows users to swing-throw the unit into areas to be reconed. The system iscapable of climbing standard curbs and is highly terrainable in rough urban envi-ronments - larger obstacles are either circumvented or tossed-over by an operator.It is designed to fit into the MOLLE assault-pack standard for the US military,making it highly portable and self-contained (incl. batteries, controller, etc.).

Dragon RunnerTM is an ackerman steered, capable-of-inverted-operation, rear-wheel drive robot with a rocker-bogie suspension, powered by on-board BB-stan-dard military batteries and a variety of communication and computing systems.The baseline model, intended to be the low-cost model, utilizes an ISM-bandwireless modem and a UHF video transmitter to provide the necessary data-feed-back and command-and-control link. All on-board electronics are packaged inrugged modules and connectorized for field-replacement. A rear-mounted handleallows for easy handling and pull-pin power on/off operation. Motion and IR dis-tance-sensors are mounted in the front/sides of the frame and provide for sentry-functionality at low power drain levels. The front-mounted tilting CCD cameraprovides for daytime video feedback; IR illuminators provide the necessary light-ing for nighttime operations. A wireless user interface provides for feedback andcontrol links and fits into a standard military MOLLE ammo-pouch. The shell iscustom molded of materials suited to the application, ranging from urethanes tothermoplastics with additives for varying applications.

Dragon RunnerTM is a registered trademark, and Dragon RunnerTM has severalU.S. and international patents pending.