DARPA Demonstrates Robotic Pack Mule Prototypes

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Legged Squad Support System (LS3) program today demonstrated two robotic pack mule prototypes for the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Earlier this year DARPA and the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) began a two year platform-refinement test cycle with the first DARPA/MCWL-hosted test planned for December 2012 on a military base. The first platform underwent initial outdoor test and has matured through continual testing and improvements to the point. Army Lt. Col. Joe Hitt, DARPA program manager, said, “We’ve refined the LS3 platform and have begun field testing against requirements of the Marine Corps. The vision for LS3 is to combine the capabilities of a pack mule with the intelligence of a trained animal”. The LS3 will be embedded with a squad for an operational exercise and it will demonstrate a legged robot that can unburden dismounted squad members by carrying their gear, autonomously following them through rugged terrain, and interpreting verbal and visual commands. The LS3 prototype completed trotting and jogging mobility runs, perception visualization demonstration and a soldier-bounded autonomy demonstration and is 10 times quieter than the platform that first came online and the squad members can carry on a conversation next to it. Brig. Gen. Mark R Wise, commanding general, MCWL, said, “Augmenting small dismounted units with autonomous capabilities can be a potent force multiplier. The concerted efforts being made to better define autonomous robotic capabilities that help lighten the load provide greater mobility and agility to dismounted Marine and U.S. Army forces across the battle space, further demonstrate what can be achieved through partnering with DARPA and other DoD entities in support of the warfighter”.