Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc, company, a leading developer of crewed and uncrewed military ground vehicles, and Kodiak Robotics, Inc., a leading self-driving technology developer for the trucking and defense markets, announced today that they have integrated the Kodiak Driver, Kodiak’s self-driving system, into Textron’s Systems’ RIPSAW M3 vehicle. The RIPSAW M3 vehicle, equipped with the Kodiak Driver, is a rugged and reliable uncrewed robotic ground vehicle designed to keep service members out of harm’s way while meeting the mission of today’s military. With this vehicle, Textron Systems and Kodiak intend to jointly explore future opportunities with both the U.S. Department of Defense and the militaries of allied nations as they look to accelerate automation into military ground vehicles.
Integrating the Kodiak Driver into Textron Systems’ RIPSAW M3 vehicle demonstrates the unique versatility and reliability of Kodiak’s autonomous system, and the value that dual-use technology can bring to defense markets. The Kodiak Driver-equipped RIPSAW M3 vehicle is the first autonomous tracked vehicle on which Kodiak has collaborated, and the first Kodiak Driver-equipped vehicle without room for a human.
Also Read: Raft Welcomes William “Bill” Bal as Senior VP of Growth
“The RIPSAW M3 equipped with the Kodiak Driver is a transformative solution for military ground operations,” said Textron Systems’ David Phillips, Senior Vice President, Land, Air and Sea Systems. “Our collaboration will not only enhance the U.S. military’s ability to execute complex and high-risk missions, but also provides a critical tool for keeping personnel out of harm’s way. This collaboration will help redefine, and perhaps accelerate, the future of uncrewed military ground vehicles, offering unparalleled capabilities and mission-readiness.”
The RIPSAW M3 vehicle equipped with the Kodiak Driver- represents a unique collaboration between a leader in military ground vehicles and a dual-use artificial intelligence technology developer. The vehicle combines Kodiak’s industry-leading autonomy system with Textron Systems‘ rugged and reliable tracked vehicle platform. The Kodiak Driver-equipped RIPSAW M3 vehicle is capable of successfully executing a wide range of high-risk military missions, such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and tactical maneuvers, across a wide range of terrain types, from highways to dirt roads to fully cross-country.
Through this collaboration, Kodiak strategically integrated its modular DefensePods into each corner of the RIPSAW M3 vehicle, ensuring 360-degree visibility while maintaining a low profile. DefensePods are an adapted version of Kodiak‘s modular, swappable SensorPods, designed for military use. DefensePods are pre-calibrated, pre-built hardware enclosures that include the sensors necessary for autonomous driving. DefensePods can be easily swappable in the field in 10 minutes or less, using standard tools and with minimal training. This design ensures that the Kodiak Driver-equipped RIPSAW M3 remains operational even in the most challenging environments.
SOURCE: PRNewswire