DARPA to use Polaris Ranger and GEM vehicles for DRC Finals

DRC aims to accelerate the development of robotic technology that can help human beings better respond to future disasters.

Employing robots to perform a number of tasks in a continuous course, simulating what might be encountered in a real disaster situation, the DRC Finals would use the Limited Edition Ranger XP 900 EPS to help demonstrate a robot’s ability to operate and egress from a vehicle, and attempt to intervene in a mockup disaster site where humans cannot perform tasks due to danger.

Polaris Defense general manager Rich Haddad said: "Off-road vehicles are some of the most useful vehicles in disaster relief, and our specialised Ranger vehicles were built to accommodate the robots and provide mobility for the driving task.

"In the future, the versatility of the Ranger platform would allow a robot to transport tools, equipment, supplies and power around a disaster site, while traversing the difficult terrain often found in disaster situations."

DARPA also used the Ranger XP 900 EPS during DRC Trials in December 2013, to help demonstrate the robots’ ability to operate vehicles in disaster zones.

Polaris customised the Limited Edition Ranger XP 900 EPS for both trials and finals, to help ensure that it was an extremely capable mobility platform for human or robot drivers.

The vehicles feature a remote SafeStop electronic throttle kill, brake actuation technology, a 1000lb capacity bed for the robot’s power supply, as well as a bench seat and tilt steering inside the cab, creating ample room for robots to operate the vehicle.

Additionally, the vehicles are equipped with Terrainarmor airless tires to manoeuvre the diverse types of terrains encountered in disasters without running the risk of flats.

Apart from Ranger XP 900 EPS, Polaris GEM vehicles, such as GEM eL XD will also be used during the finals to load and transport the robots after they complete their tasks.

The winning team for the DRC will receive a $2m grand prize, while DARPA intends to award $1mto the runner-up and $500,000 to the third-place team.