French transport and cleanliness robot specialist RoboSoft has used real-time Linux in a six-wheeled outdoor autonomous vehicle aimed at reducing human risks in reconnaissance, monitoring, and safety operations. The RobuROC 6 supports a variety of add-on modules, and is user-programmable for complex missions, the company says.

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RoboSoft says that despite its relatively small size, the RoboROC 6 boasts “incomparable crossing capabilities” thanks to its flexible, articulated design. The vehicle comprises three pods synchronized by an active hydaulic system. Each pod has a pair of 20-inch wheels, with each wheel powered by its own brushless DC motor and controlled by its own “resolver.”

The RobuROC 6 has an articulated, six-wheeled design
The result is a vehicle capable of turning in place, or traversing uneven terrain, such as stairs approached at an angle. Step clearance is claimed to be 15-3/4 inches (400mm), while turning radius is listed as “0.” Additionally, the RobuROC 6 appears to be capable of stepping down from even taller steps.

Stairs? No problem!
The RobuROC 6 measures 63 x 31 x 20 inches (160 x 78 x 50cm) and weighs 352 pounds, with Lithium-ion batteries good for 3-5 hours of operation. It can carry 220 pounds (100kgr), and has a maximum speed just over 8mph (3.6 meters/second).

The RoboROC 6 supports a variety of RoboSoft add-on modules based on the open “Icore” architecture. Modules include day/night vision systems, laser systems, infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, “pan and tilt” turret, wireless radios, GPS, and so on.

Additionally, the vehicle supports customization for complex missions through an efficent development environment, the company says.

What's under the hood?

Currently, the RobuROC 6 is based on an embedded “cb555” controller board, powered by a “Motorola RSMPC 555” processor. It runs a “reduced Linux” environment with RTAI real-time extensions. Additionally, the vehicle appears to have been programmed using the SynDEX real-time SDK (software development kit).

In the future, RoboSoft intends to switch the RobuROC 6 to a modular “RobuBOX” hardware and software platform currently under development. RobuBox is slated for use in several of the company's transportation and service robots. The RobuBox platform appears to support Microsoft .NET by default, but may also support embedded Linux.

Availability

The RobuROC 6 appears to be available now. Pricing was not disclosed. A brief video showing the vehicle running through its paces can be found here.

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