WARREN – The U.S. Army will hold its third Robotics Rodeo in May 2012 to give scientists and engineers from government and industry to demonstrate unmanned ground systems.

Robotics Rodeo III is co-hosted by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center in Warren and Fort Benning?s Maneuver Battle Lab near Columbus, Georgia. TARDEC is the focal point for all Defense Department ground robotics systems. In addition to the Robotics Rodeos, TARDEC recently co-hosted the inaugural Multi Autonomous Ground-robotic International Challenge ? MAGIC ? in Australia.

The opportunity for industry members to interact with experienced soldiers and demonstrate their technologies to these end-users has proven to be incredibly valuable, said U.S. Army Senior Research Scientist-Robotics, TARDEC?s Jim Overholt.

?By holding this Robotics Rodeo in 2012, the Army has waited a little more time for technologies to mature,? said Overholt. ?And, for this iteration, the Training and Doctrine Command will actively participate making Robotics Rodeo III exponentially more valuable to industry and ? most importantly ? our Soldiers.?

Robotics Rodeo III will again have two opportunities for demonstration: an Extravaganza and the Robotic Technology Observation, Demonstration and Discussion (RTOD2).

The Robotics Rodeo Extravaganza, which is open to the public, provides a single point of contact for networking opportunities among Soldiers and industry/government representatives. It is also an opportunity to discuss robotics with key government decision makers, visit vendor booths and view freestyle demonstrations.

RTOD2, conversely, is a closed event. For the first time, the RTOD2 portion will follow a theme: Combat Outpost. For the demonstration, ?vignettes? will be constructed around outpost scenarios that directly relate to Soldier needs. This format provides an opportunity to demonstrate technology to government stakeholders seeking to identify and leverage industry investments in advanced technologies. Vignettes were shaped with the Army Capabilities Integration Center (ARCIC).

Continuous updates and registration details will be available at TARDEC.Info

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