WARREN ? U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center unmanned ground vehicles and Adaptive Materials of Ann Arbor recently completed successful testing of a hybrid fuel cell system. The hybrid system combines Adaptive Materials’ fuel cell system with a lithium battery designed to deliver performance and duration.
The 2-year project proved that Adaptive Materials? fuel cell system can power small robots across various terrains to conduct surveillance and other mission-critical operations. Employment of robots help keep Soldiers out of harm?s way, letting the machines performs the dangerous ?snoop and scoop? mission.
With support from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the proof-of-concept testing took place at Southwest Research Institute?, an independent facility in San Antonio, TX. An Adaptive Materials? solid oxide fuel cell system powered an iRobot PackBot across a number of militarily relevant terrains.
Adaptive Materials is continuing work to deliver a fuel cell system for small ground robots that will power a vehicle for more than 12 hours at a time for longer endurance during missions. Current Lithium Ion batteries are good for only around 2 hours.
The Department of Defense (DOD) has deployed more than 5,000 unmanned systems throughout the world on various missions, and TARDEC?s Robotics Center of Excellence synergizes the research, development, engineering, acquisition, logistics and support for each robot in theater today. Within the next year, DOD estimates more than 10,000 robots will be deployed Worldwide to support U.S. forces.
?Incorporating fuel cells into UGVs allows us to maximize operational endurance and increase available mission power,? TARDEC?s National Automotive Center Team Leader for Advanced/Alternative Propulsion Technologies Erik Kallio explained. ?These systems boost the utility of an already successful platform.?
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