Thales has launched a new solution, OpenDRobotics, which combines robotics technologies with unmanned air and ground vehicles (UAVs/UGVs) to provide the armed forces with an integrated, human-in-the-loop mission system capability.
With OpenDRobotics, Thales is taking collaborative combat to the next level through the development of a revolutionary integrated system that ties together robotics technologies and different types of drones to provide an automated mission system capability.
Recent conflicts have demonstrated the operational value of drones and robotic systems in terms of battlefield transparency and speed of action to enhance mission effectiveness while keeping human operators out of harm’s way. These systems can also saturate enemy defences without requiring larger numbers of human operators or increasing the cognitive burden on the forces already deployed.
Building on the success of CohoMa II, the OpenDRobotics initiative creates operational value by coordinating the capabilities of a wide range of drones and robotic systems, providing command-and-control and extended collaborative combat functions by capitalising on the Group’s long-standing experience with tactical mission systems, in particular for the Scorpion programme.
Arnaud Lacaze, Vice President Defence Business Segment, Thales, said; “We are proud to present OpenDRobotics, a comprehensive offering that will accelerate the process of integrating drones and robotic systems in land combat operations. Building on our experience on the Scorpion programme and the lessons learned from collaborative combat deployments, Thales is enabling the forces to conduct their missions more quickly and in greater safety by coordinating large numbers of autonomous systems on the battlefield.”
OpenDRobotics has a central role to play in a broad spectrum of armed forces missions: reconnaissance, intelligence, CBRN, Special Forces operations, cavalry, artillery, etc.).
OpenDRobotics builds on the open-source ROS (Robot Operating System) and STANAG 4586 standards, which are widely used by NATO and were developed as collaborative initiatives to promote easier integration of drones and robotic systems developed by partners and third parties.
