Latest news with #unmannedvehicles
Sustainability Times
9 hours ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'US Navy Breaks the Silence': World's First Reusable Underwater Spy Robot Deployed on Nuclear Submarine
IN A NUTSHELL 🔍 The US Navy has successfully deployed and recovered the world's first reusable spy robot, the Yellow Moray , from a nuclear submarine. , from a nuclear submarine. 🤖 This achievement marks a significant advancement in naval technology, allowing submarines to extend capabilities using robotic systems without risking human lives. without risking human lives. 🌊 The Yellow Moray autonomously conducted missions lasting 6 to 10 hours, proving the Navy's ability to use unmanned systems multiple times in one deployment. autonomously conducted missions lasting 6 to 10 hours, proving the Navy's ability to use unmanned systems multiple times in one deployment. ⚓ This operation underscores the strategic importance of robotic systems in future undersea missions, offering more options while minimizing risks to sailors. In a groundbreaking advancement for naval operations, the US Navy has successfully integrated unmanned technology into its submarine missions. This significant achievement involves the deployment and recovery of an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) from a nuclear-powered submarine. The USS Delaware, a Virginia-class attack submarine, served as the platform for this innovative operation. Known as the Yellow Moray, this reusable spy robot marks a pivotal moment in undersea warfare, demonstrating the Navy's commitment to enhancing its operational capabilities while minimizing risks to personnel. This article delves into the details of this milestone mission, exploring the implications and future potential of such technology in military applications. World's First Reusable Spy Robot for Submarines The recent mission took place in the US European Command (EUCOM) area of operations and featured the Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791). This successful test signifies a formidable leap in naval technology, as submarines can now enhance their capabilities using robotic systems without endangering divers or crew members. The Yellow Moray is based on the REMUS 600, a well-established UUV design used for various underwater missions, including seafloor mapping and intelligence gathering. This torpedo-shaped robot can autonomously carry out missions, operating independently of human control once launched. During this deployment, the USS Delaware launched and recovered the Yellow Moray robot three times, with each mission lasting between 6 and 10 hours. All operations utilized the submarine's torpedo tube, a traditional launch system for torpedoes. This operation demonstrated the Navy's capacity to use the same UUV multiple times in one deployment, enabling the execution of missions in areas too shallow or hazardous for submarines. Moreover, the elimination of divers in launching and recovery processes further underscores the Navy's ability to conduct safe and efficient operations with minimal human involvement. Spy and Return in Secret This mission illustrates the US Navy's readiness to integrate manned submarines with advanced robotic systems in real-world scenarios. These robotic vehicles can access areas deemed risky or impossible for submarines, undertaking missions that are either too mundane or dangerous for human personnel. Tasks such as scanning the seabed for mines, conducting surveillance, or scouting enemy waters can now be performed more effectively. 'This capability allows us to extend our reach,' stated Vice Admiral Rob Gaucher, Commander of Submarine Forces. 'The Yellow Moray reduces risk to our submarines and divers by handling dull, dirty, and dangerous missions.' The initial tests weren't without challenges. During early trials in a Norwegian fjord, the Yellow Moray failed to return to the torpedo tube due to a damaged part. Despite this setback, the Navy swiftly adapted by repairing the robot and resuming successful operations from the USS Delaware. This adaptability highlights the Navy's ability to maintain flexibility and mobility in future operations, emphasizing the strategic importance of robotic systems in future undersea missions. Technological Adaptation and Future Prospects The Navy's ability to quickly diagnose and repair the Yellow Moray underlines the importance of technological resilience in military operations. Technicians identified the damaged component and returned the robot to the US for necessary repairs. Post-repair, the robot was flown back to Europe and successfully launched and recovered in subsequent missions from the USS Delaware. This swift adaptation ensures that missions remain on schedule, demonstrating the Navy's readiness to overcome obstacles and maintain operational integrity. In a notable first, Navy divers loaded the Yellow Moray into the submarine via the torpedo tube while docked in Norway, proving that future missions could remain flexible and adaptable. The Navy's commitment to equipping more submarines with robotic systems like the Yellow Moray signifies a shift towards a more autonomous and resilient naval force. This mission reinforces the notion that the future of submarine warfare is not only underwater but also robotic, offering commanders expanded operational options while minimizing risks to sailors. Implications for Future Naval Warfare The integration of robotic systems into naval operations presents significant implications for the future of warfare. The ability to deploy and recover UUVs like the Yellow Moray from submarines enhances the Navy's strategic capabilities, providing commanders with a versatile tool for diverse missions. This technology also opens new avenues for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance, allowing the Navy to operate in previously inaccessible or high-risk areas. The Yellow Moray's success suggests that future naval missions will increasingly rely on robotic and autonomous systems to undertake tasks that are too dangerous or impractical for humans. As the Navy continues to develop and integrate these technologies, it will inevitably reshape the landscape of undersea warfare. This evolution raises an intriguing question: How will the continued advancement of robotic technology redefine the boundaries of naval operations in the coming decades? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (25)
WIRED
5 days ago
- Business
- WIRED
Taiwan Is Rushing to Make Its Own Drones Before It's Too Late
Jun 23, 2025 6:00 AM Unmanned vehicles are increasingly becoming essential weapons of war. But with a potential conflict with China looming large, Taiwan is scrambling to build a domestic drone industry from scratch. Photograph: YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/Getty Images In the span of just a few years, drones have become instrumental in warfare. Conflicts in Ukraine, Iran, Nagorno-Karabakh, Sudan, and elsewhere have shown how autonomous vehicles have become a quintessential part of modern combat. It's a fact that Taiwan knows all too well. The island nation, fearing imminent invasion from China, has both the need, know-how, and industry necessary to build a robust and advanced drone program. Yet Taiwan, which has set an ambitious target of producing 180,000 drones per year by 2028, is struggling to create this industry from scratch. Last year, it produced fewer than 10,000. 'Taiwan definitely has the ability to make the best drones in the world,' says Cathy Fang, a policy analyst at the Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology (DSET). So why doesn't it? Designing a Hellscape Fang and her colleagues published a lengthy report on June 16 that reveals just how sluggish Taiwan's drone industry has been. According to their research, the country has produced between 8,000 and 10,000 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the past year, with 'structural challenges' standing in the way of the current rate and the ambitious goal. Their study found that Taiwan's drone production has been stymied by 'high manufacturing costs, low domestic procurement, and minimal foreign government orders.' Fang and other DSET researchers briefed WIRED on the details of their report in their Taipei offices in May. Taiwan has lived under the threat of Chinese invasion for decades, but recent years have turned it into a more immediate possibility. Beijing has made clear that it intends to complete its aggressive modernization of the People's Liberation Army by 2027; Taiwanese officials say invasion could come that early but almost certainly before Premier Xi Jinping's current term in office ends in 2029. While there are competing views about what form, exactly, Chinese military aggression could take, military analysts in Taiwan fear it could be a full combined arms onslaught: From air and sea at first, followed by a full land invasion. That means Taiwan has an imperative to come up with innovative solutions to defend itself, and fast. As one American commander remarked in 2023, Taiwan's self-defense will mean turning the Taiwan Strait into a 'hellscape'—bombarding incoming Chinese ships and planes with swarms of uncrewed aerial and naval vehicles. This strategy doesn't need to destroy the considerable Chinese navy and air force outright, but it does need to frustrate Beijing's advances long enough for Taiwan's allies to rally to its defense. Taipei is already doing some of this right. In 2022, the government launched the Drone National Team, a program meant to match government and industry to scale up the nascent field. In particular, the team was dispatched to learn lessons from Ukraine, whose defensive strategy has relied heavily on small, tactical, cheap UAVs capable of carrying out multiple missions and integrating closely with ground units. Today, the country boasts a massive domestic drone industry, with Kyiv planning to buy 4.5 million small drones this year, on top of its long-range uncrewed missile program, its autonomous land vehicles, and its uncrewed naval drones. But Ukraine also shows the disadvantage at which Taiwan finds itself. In a secret workshop in Kyiv, a Ukrainian drone maker told WIRED that he had no choice but to source his antennas and chips from China. Taiwanese chips were too expensive. Competing With DJI 'We are not able to compete with DJI,' Fang says, referring to the massive Chinese drone manufacturer. Other countries that have scaled up their drone programs recently have accepted Chinese technology in their supply chain—either as an asset or a necessary evil. But Taiwan, for obvious reasons, is leery of including any Chinese tech. That makes drone manufacturing hard. China maintains a massive advantage in producing certain critical pieces of these UAVs—including the gimbals, optical sensors, and antennas. To buy that equipment, Taiwan needs to find allied suppliers, often at considerable cost. Taiwan has even had difficulty leveraging its advantages. The country has an advanced battery industry, for example—but it's heavily reliant on Chinese critical minerals. The island nation also boasts the world's most impressive semiconductor industry: It produces 60 percent of the world's semiconductors and 90 percent of the advanced semiconductors. But, Fang says, Taiwan does not produce any chips specifically for use on drones. 'Taiwanese drone makers are buying chips from Qualcomm and Nvidia, but those chips are not specifically for drones,' she says. 'Those are communication chips, sensor chips, those are for more general use.' And even those general chips are significantly more expensive than their Chinese competitors, sometimes by a factor of 10. 'We definitely have the ability to make them,' Fang adds. 'But the reason why these companies are not involved in this market is because the scale is just too small.' It's a catch-22: Taiwanese companies can't increase production and reduce costs until they get more orders, but they can't get more orders because their costs are too high. 'We need more government procurement from Taiwan itself,' Fang says. Thus far, the nation's defense ministry has ordered fewer than 4,000 drones, although it plans to purchase tens of thousands more in the years to come. It owes to the fact, analysts say, that financing the kind of defense spending that Taiwan needs remains politically difficult. Earlier this year, opposition lawmakers in the Legislative Yuan passed a budget that slashed planned defense spending. If Taiwan's industry has any hope of growing by the scale the country needs, Fang says there's a clear answer: America. Building an Army of Drones DSET has a number of recommendations, both for Taiwan and America, on how to establish this ambitious new industry. For starters, they argue, America needs to start actually supporting Taiwan's local industry. To date, no Taiwanese drone manufacturer has secured access to the Department of Defense's 'blue list'—its roster of trusted drone suppliers. Earning a spot on that list could mean millions or billions of dollars in orders from the Pentagon. There has been some trade in the other direction. The US has supplied Taiwan with about 1,000 drones, mostly the smaller AeroVironment Switchblade loitering munition as well as a small number of the MQ-9 Reaper long-range drones. The US has also been shipping some novel technology to Taiwan, including access to its Replicator Initiative: an autonomous drone swarm capability designed to find and destroy targets at sea. But, DSET argues, some of these capabilities have been more a product of what the US thinks Taiwan needs. Washington could be more effective if it developed partnerships with Taiwanese industry, DSET contends, and make longer-term decisions about what Taipei needs for its self-defense. Finally, DSET writes, Washington should drop its tariffs—on Taiwanese UAVs, at the very least. Taiwan itself has even more work to do. DSET recommends establishing a more detailed roadmap for what capabilities it wants and needs and how it intends to get there. While plenty of focus will be on the small, first-person-view drones—the kind increasingly ubiquitous in conflicts worldwide—Taiwan will need to expand into other kinds of technology. While Taipei has identified a wide range of capabilities it hopes to acquire, DSET found it has been mostly procuring smaller surveillance drones. Both Russia and Iran have recently shown how long-range uncrewed vehicles can be made at scale and significantly cheaper than traditional missiles. Perhaps more importantly, the DSET report argues, Taiwan needs to be able to plug into American needs and procurement programs—and America prioritizes longer-range systems. The preponderance of these drones has also heightened the need for defenses, particularly around electronic warfare. Taipei is investing in anti-drone systems, Fang says, but it remains an 'emerging concept.' (A defense analyst told WIRED that Taiwan is simply 'not prepared to fight in a complex electromagnetic environment.') One of the weak points in China's invasion will be its landing crafts. Beijing has been feverishly building a fleet of barges that would be able to transport troops and tanks across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan has been developing domestically made submarines with the hope of sinking those barges before they arrive—that capability would be augmented significantly by autonomous or uncrewed submersibles. Ukraine has pioneered its own models of semiautonomous uncrewed naval vehicles, which have successfully sunk Russian warships and damaged the Kerch Bridge in Crimea. As Western nations get ambitious about how to mass-produce cost-effective and high-impact defense strategies, many are looking toward uncrewed vehicles as a silver bullet. But, as Taiwan shows, this is all easier said than done. If Taiwan gets this wrong, DSET argues, 'Taiwan risks falling into a gray zone of limited interoperability and unscalable production.' Meanwhile, 'the US risks failing to develop trusted regional manufacturing capacity at the speed required to compete with China's drone diplomacy and defense exports.' It may seem like an insurmountable challenge, especially for a nation facing an existential threat from a much bigger neighbor. But, as Fang points out, Ukraine was in the same situation. 'Ukraine? They didn't even imagine that kind of capacity three years ago,' she says. But a 'sense of survival' kicked in, and Kyiv stood up the world's most impressive indigenous drone manufacturing industry. Taipei 'is, right now, in low mode,' Fang says. 'Because we are still not at war. But I don't want to underestimate our capacity, even though we are in a peacetime.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market Research 2025: AI-Driven Sensing Powers Next-Gen Growth, Machine Learning for Smarter Terrain Operations, AI Enhancing Mobility and Safety
The Global Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market is witnessing significant growth due to rising automation demands in industries like mining, construction, and agriculture. In 2024, focus on efficiency and safety boosts the market, with robots excelling in tasks such as hauling, planting, and surveillance. Asia-Pacific, led by China, Japan, and South Korea, dominates this sector with robust infrastructure projects and supportive policies. Notably, advancements in AI-driven navigation enhance operational effectiveness across varied terrains. Key players include ASI, SafeAI, and John Deere. Dublin, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Mining, Construction and Agriculture" report has been added to Global Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market is experiencing a notable surge in adoption, particularly across industries such as mining, construction, and agriculture. In 2024, market growth is propelled by strong demand for automation and increased focus on improving efficiency and safety in environments where manual labor can be high-risk or cost-intensive. Organizations are turning to autonomous and unmanned ground solutions to perform tasks like hauling, excavation, planting, surveillance, and inspection. These robots reduce downtime, mitigate accidents, and streamline daily operations, making them attractive investments for businesses of varying AnalysisAsia-Pacific is widely regarded as the leading region in the Global Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market, underpinned by extensive infrastructure projects, strong manufacturing ecosystems, and supportive government policies. China, Japan, and South Korea exemplify this leadership through aggressive research and development initiatives, advanced production capabilities, and wide-scale adoption of automated solutions in mining, construction, and large-scale agriculture. As local companies scale up operations, robust competition also stimulates rapid innovation and price optimization. Trend in the MarketA notable trend in the Global Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Marketis the rapid advancement of AI-driven sensing and navigation capabilities. Modern robots leverage cutting-edge sensors ranging from LiDAR to machine vision to map and interpret their surroundings in real time. This level of environmental awareness enables them to operate safely and efficiently in unpredictable terrains, whether in open-pit mines, large-scale construction sites, or varied agricultural fields. Additionally, developments in machine learning allow robots to learn from past operations, refining their routes and decision-making processes for greater prominent names established in this market are: Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) SafeAI OffWorld Exyn Technologies Fortescue Metals Group Built Robotics Robotic Systems Integration (RSI) Wolf Robotics Cyngn John Deere Burro Monarch Tractor Tevel Aerobotics Technologies Guardian Agriculture AgXeed Key Topics Covered: Executive SummaryScope and DefinitionMarket/Product DefinitionKey Questions AnsweredAnalysis and Forecast Note1. Markets: Industry Outlook1.1 Trends: Current and Future Impact Assessment1.2 R&D Review1.2.1 Patent Filing Trend by Country, by Company1.3 Stakeholder Analysis1.3.1 Use Case1.3.2 End User and Buying Criteria1.4 Market Dynamics Overview1.4.1 Market Drivers1.4.2 Market Restraints1.4.3 Market Opportunities1.5 Startup Landscape1.5.1 Key Startups by Funding1.5.2 Key Investors1.5.3 Investments by Regions2. Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market (By Application)2.1 Application by Product Segmentation2.2 Application by Product Summary2.3 Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market (by Application)2.3.1 Mining2.3.1.1 Open Pit Mining2.3.1.2 Underground2.3.2 Construction2.3.2.1 Industrial and Commercial2.3.2.2 Residential2.3.3 Agriculture2.3.3.1 Field Robots2.3.3.2 Indoor Farming Robots2.4 Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market (by Mining type)2.4.1 Coal2.4.2 Metalliferous2.4.3 Others3. Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market (by Product)3.1 Product Segmentation3.2 Product Summary3.3 Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market (by Type)3.3.1 Mining Robots3.3.1.1 Automated Haulage Systems (AHS) Robots3.3.1.2 Drilling & Blasting Robots3.3.1.3 Excavation Robots3.3.1.4 Inspection & Surveillance Robots3.3.1.5 Material Handling Robots3.3.2 Construction3.3.2.1 Excavation & Earthmoving Robots3.3.2.2 Inspection & Surveillance Robots3.3.2.3 Material Handling Robots3.3.2.4 Site Preparation Robots3.3.2.5 Demolition Robots3.3.3 Agriculture3.3.3.1 Autonomous Tractors3.3.3.2 Robotic Sprayers & Fertilizers3.3.3.3 Robotic Seeders & Planters3.3.3.4 Harvesting Robots3.3.3.5 Crop Monitoring & Surveillance RobotsNote: Above Segments may change based on client suggestions and research outcomes.3.4 Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market (by Type)3.4.1 Autonomous3.4.2 Semi-Autonomous4. Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market (by Region)4.1 Autonomous and Unmanned Ground Robots Market (by Region)4.2 North America4.2.1 Regional Overview4.2.2 Driving Factors for Market Growth4.2.3 Factors Challenging the Market4.2.4 Application4.2.5 Product4.2.6 U.S.4.2.6.1 Market by Application4.2.6.2 Market by Product4.2.7 Canada4.2.7.1 Market by Application4.2.7.2 Market by Product4.2.8 Mexico4.2.8.1 Market by Application4.2.8.2 Market by Product4.3 Europe4.4 Asia-Pacific4.5 Rest-of-the-World5. Markets - Competitive Benchmarking & Company Profiles5.1 Next Frontiers5.2 Geographic Assessment5.3 Company Profiles5.3.1 Overview5.3.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio5.3.3 Top Competitors5.3.4 Target Customers5.3.5 Key Personnel5.3.6 Analyst View5.3.7 Market Share For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
