Dragon Runner facts for kids
Dragon Runner is a special type of robot used by the military. It's designed to help soldiers explore dangerous or hard-to-reach places. This robot is quite small, weighing about 20 pounds (9 kg). This means it's light enough for a person to carry and even throw! The idea for Dragon Runner first came from the United States Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. They worked with Carnegie Mellon University on the project. The robot was designed at Carnegie Mellon. Its electronic parts and strong outer shell were made by a company called QinetiQ. The United States Naval Research Laboratory also helped a lot with its early design and testing.
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What is the Dragon Runner?
The Dragon Runner is like a helpful scout for soldiers. It goes into areas that might be too risky for people to enter. Imagine needing to see what's around a corner or inside a building without putting anyone in danger. That's where this robot comes in handy!
How Does it Work?
The robot is about 15 inches (38 cm) long, less than a foot wide, and 5 inches (13 cm) tall. It has four wheels. One of the most amazing things about Dragon Runner is how tough it is! It's built to survive being thrown over fences or down stairwells. It can even be thrown from a moving vehicle going 45 miles per hour (70 km/h). It can also survive a fall from a third-story window. No matter how it lands, it can keep going because it doesn't have a "right side up." However, it's not made to drive up or down stairs on its own. Instead, soldiers carry it up or down stairs when needed.
Helping Soldiers Stay Safe
In January 2010, the British Army ordered about 100 Dragon Runner robots. This was part of a £12 million contract with QinetiQ. These robots were ordered to help experts find and safely deal with dangerous hidden objects. They were used in places like Afghanistan to protect people from unstable devices found on roadsides. The robots quickly proved how valuable they were in these difficult situations.
Different Ways to Use It
Dragon Runner has a camera on its front that can tilt. This camera sends live video back to the person controlling the robot. This way, soldiers can see around corners or other things that block their view. It helps them spot anything that might be hidden or unexpected.
The robot can be used in three main ways:
Drive Mode
In this mode, the robot drives around. It sends images and video back to the operator. This is useful for exploring new areas.
Sentry Mode
When in Sentry Mode, Dragon Runner stays still. It uses a microphone and special sensors. These sensors can detect movement up to 30 feet (9 meters) away. If it senses something, it will alert the person controlling it. This is great for watching an area.
Watch Mode
In Watch Mode, the robot also stays motionless. It continuously sends images back to the operator. This is good for keeping an eye on a specific spot.
Special Add-ons
Soldiers can quickly add special parts to the Dragon Runner. For example, there are "flippers" that help it climb stairs. There are also different types of treads that can be snapped on. These changes can be made easily in the field without any special tools.
