The mutt robotic is an eight-wheeled robot ground vehicle that can haul various equipment in the field. It's based on Multi-Utility Tactical Transport (MUTT), a company-developed vehicle that allows small dismounted units to carry gear across any terrain.
They are an integral part of warfare. Every major conflict, war, and conflict has seen specific vehicles serve a purpose, whether they are airborne, afloat or amphibious, off-road, or light reconnaissance all-terrain, vehicles that can be used for reconnaissance.
The American Willis and German Kubelwagen, for example, were well-known for their roles in World War II and Vietnam. These light, off-road vehicles tended to be used in the desert or on the sea and have since become icons of a particular time and place.
Military robotic vehicles have been used in recent years for both search and rescue missions as well as attack missions. Numerous systems are currently in service and many others are under development.
MUTT
General Dynamics Land Systems was tapped by the US Army for the development of a robotic vehicle that will follow soldiers across battlefields and carry their gear. Squad Maneuver Equipment Transport is a vehicle that allows dismounted small units of soldiers to transport upto 1,000 pounds worth of equipment. It will let them concentrate on their missions rather than lugging around heavy, backbreaking gear.
GDLS was chosen in an Army competition to develop the SMET, with 624 systems expected by 2021. The contract covers support hardware, user training, technical support, and the initial contract at $162.4million.
SMET can operate in remote or forward locations and can carry a squad's worth gear for a 72 hour patrol. It can either keep up with the squad, or lead it.
You can equip it to carry a variety medical supplies, radios, or tactical electronic devices. It can be used in resupply operations, search for missing soldiers, or to arm machine guns to protect against enemy attacks.
SMET can also remotely operate to resupply units or provide surveillance for ground commanders. It can also easily be towed beneath CH-47 helicopters or CH-53 helicopters.
MUTT has been in service for over 20 years with more than 100 armed forces worldwide.
A military MUTT allows you to climb stairs and can even drive off the road remotely. It can be charged once and lasts seven days.
The GDLS SMET vehicle is built using its MUTT semiautonomous robotic platform. It can carry a variety different combat and support functions and payloads. It can be used for search & rescue, combat operations and resupply missions, and has been demonstrated to meet the US Army's Squad Maneuver Equipment Transport requirement.
Three kilowatts is the battery power required to run the MUTT. This can charge personal squad devices. It can also remotely be controlled, and it is designed to adapt for new payloads and controllers as well as increased autonomy.