Polaris and partners win spot in U.S. Army robotic trial program
NewsMay 24, 2018
MEDINA, Minn. Polaris Government and Defense -- along with its teammates Applied Research Associates and Neya Systems, known collectively as Team Polaris -- has won a contract from the U.S. Army to supply its optionally manned MRZR X multimode vehicle platform as one of the robotic systems used by infantry brigade combat teams for the next year of trials as part of the Army's Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) program.
Polaris company documents say that the MRZR X provides an evolving, robotics capable, multi-mission platform that will be able to lighten the warfighter's load now and go on to use smart networking for vehicles in the multidomain battlefield of the coming years. The MRZR X, say Polaris officials, has multiple modes of operation that span a broad spectrum from traditional operator driving to multiple levels of autonomy, including the capability for remote control, teleoperation, follow-me, leader-follower, and full autonomy, all of which enable the MRZR X to enhance and evolve mobility in varying roles including service as a robotic equipment mule, autonomous resupply vehicle, warfighter-driven squad carrier, logistics support vehicle, rescue mission enabler, or high-speed casualty evacuation capability. The connectivity of the MRZR X also means that the platform can act as a networked node in the multidomain battlespace.
Army officials say that in fiscal year 2019 it will decide whether to make SMET a program of record and at that time will select one system.
