TerraMax (vehicle)

TerraMax at the 2004 DARPA Grand Challenge.

TerraMax is the trademark for unmanned ground vehicle technology developed by Oshkosh Corporation. The original TerraMax vehicle was a 6x6 autonomous MTVR-based tactical cargo hauler entered in the 2004 and 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge by Oshkosh Corporation, University of Parma's Artificial Vision and Intelligent Systems Laboratory and Rockwell Collins (collectively known as Team TerraMax). A 4x4 variant was subsequently developed for and entered in the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge. Since then, Oshkosh has continued developing the technology for the United States Department of Defense.[1] The Terramax is now supplied to the U.S. and British military. It is used in reconnaissance missions and freight transport in high-risk areas so freeing soldiers from possible attacks or ambushes

History

2005 DARPA Grand Challenge

To navigate the terrain, the 2005 TerraMax vehicle utilized three LIDAR laser-ranging units (one of which featured four planes), three forward-looking cameras, and two GPS navigation systems.[2] During the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge the vehicle encountered a minor windstorm which blew tumbleweeds across the road. This confused the vehicle as it tried to maneuver its bulk around each individual tumbleweed. Around 5:00 in the afternoon, TerraMax arrived at the second tunnel, causing miscalibration of the sensor suite. After this, the vehicle consistently pulled to the left, but arrived safely at the finish line. The vehicle's average speed was 10.27 mph (16.53 km/h).[3] It was the only finisher not eligible for the US $2 million in prize money, because it exceeded the ten-hour time limit.

2012 Cargo UGV

Oshkosh and the National Robotics Engineering Center were sponsored by the United States Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory from 2010 to 2012 to develop UGV technology specifically for convoy operations.[4]

Counter-IED

At AUVSI 2013, Oshkosh announced that it will integrate the TerraMax system onto its Oshkosh M-ATV. TerraMax kits on the M-ATV will provide route clearance and explosive ordnance disposal for engineers, rather than just be used for logistics operations.[5]

Television

The TerraMax was featured in Series 19 of BBC Television series Top Gear. It was featured against presenter James May in the Range Rover in an off-road challenge in the Nevada Automotive Test Center, Nevada, USA.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Unmanned Ground Vehicle: Oshkosh Defense". Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  2. ↑ "Team TerraMax" (PDF). Grand Challenge 2005 Team Technical Papers. DARPA. 31 December 2007. pp. 9–10.
  3. ↑ "Oshkosh's TerraMax rolls across finish line". WTN News. 10 October 2005.
  4. ↑ EauClaire, Michelle (22 April 2012). "Operation Unmanned Machine". OEM Off-Highway.
  5. ↑ Oshkosh Defense Unmanned Ground Vehicle Technology Offers Safer Means for Conducting Route-Clearance Missions - Oshkosh Defense press release, 12 August 2013
  6. ↑ TerraMax featured in Top Gear, from 22:38

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Terramax.