A charge deployment system for ordnance neutralization. The system is suited to deploying multiple disposal charges to neutralize multiple items of ordnance, in particular mines, in a single sortie. The system includes at least one deployment unit, each unit including a housing for stowing a charge in a stowed position; means for mounting a charge within the deployment unit; means for controllably moving a charge and mounting means from the stowed position to a deployment position; means for controllably releasing a charge from the mounting means; and a controller for controlling each moving means. It further relates to an unmanned vehicle, such as an unmanned underwater vehicle, including such a charge deployment system for ordnance neutralization.

A charge deployment system for ordnance neutralization. The system is suited to deploying multiple disposal charges to neutralize multiple items of ordnance, in particular mines, in a single sortie. The system includes at least one deployment unit, each unit including a housing for stowing a charge in a stowed position; means for mounting a charge within the deployment unit; means for controllably moving a charge and mounting means from the stowed position to a deployment position; means for controllably releasing a charge from the mounting means; and a controller for controlling each moving means. It further relates to an unmanned vehicle, such as an unmanned underwater vehicle, including such a charge deployment system for ordnance neutralization.

Apparatus and methods that can be used to stabilize the distal end of an arm (and an end effector attached thereto) of an automated extended-reach tool-equipped assembly. Stabilization is provided by three or more stabilizers, each comprising a stationary part and a movable part. Each stationary part has a fixed location relative to the end effector; each movable part is translatably coupled to a respective stationary part and comprises a contactor disposed at a distal end of the movable part. When the stabilizers are actuated, the contactors are translated toward and into contact with the surface of the workpiece and then locked in place to stabilize the distal end of the arm and the end effector. During tool operation, the stabilizers reduce oscillation of the end effector (and all structure fixedly coupled thereto).

In an approach to creating assembly plan for disaster mitigation, one or more computer processors identify one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors receive one or more configuration parameters for one or more assembly plans pertaining to the one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors analyze the one or more configuration parameters to determine necessary configuration parameters based upon the identified one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors create the one or more assembly plans containing one or more instructions for one or more self-assembling robots based on the determined necessary configuration parameters. The one or more computer processors send the one or more assembly plans to one or more self-assembling robots.

A demountable implement (10) for a vehicle has a mounting arrangement (16) for mounting the implement onto a vehicle. The implement is selectively jettisonable from the vehicle and jettison members (42) for jettisoning the implement are provided on or by the implement.

A demountable implement (10) for a vehicle has a mounting arrangement (16) for mounting the implement onto a vehicle. The implement is selectively jettisonable from the vehicle and jettison members (42) for jettisoning the implement are provided on or by the implement.

A vehicle for detecting and neutralizing an incendiary object comprises a detecting device configured to mount at fore-end of the vehicle is disclosed. The detecting device comprises: one or more platforms configured to be mounted at the fore end of the vehicle. The one or more platforms are located proximal to the ground surface such that they hover over the ground surface at a predetermined distance. A plurality of sensors wherein each of the plurality of sensors mounted on the at least one of the one or more platforms for capturing information related to the incendiary object. A neutralizing device interfaced with the detecting device, wherein the neutralizing device comprises: a neutralizing arm member which actuates in one or more directions for handling and neutralizing the incendiary object based on the information related to the incendiary object. An annihilator device equipped with the neutralizing device to annihilate the incendiary object.

A vehicle for detecting and neutralizing an incendiary object comprises a detecting device configured to mount at fore-end of the vehicle is disclosed. The detecting device comprises: one or more platforms configured to be mounted at the fore end of the vehicle. The one or more platforms are located proximal to the ground surface such that they hover over the ground surface at a predetermined distance. A plurality of sensors wherein each of the plurality of sensors mounted on the at least one of the one or more platforms for capturing information related to the incendiary object. A neutralizing device interfaced with the detecting device, wherein the neutralizing device comprises: a neutralizing arm member which actuates in one or more directions for handling and neutralizing the incendiary object based on the information related to the incendiary object. An annihilator device equipped with the neutralizing device to annihilate the incendiary object.

In an approach to creating assembly plan for disaster mitigation, one or more computer processors identify one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors receive one or more configuration parameters for one or more assembly plans pertaining to the one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors analyze the one or more configuration parameters to determine necessary configuration parameters based upon the identified one or more triggering events. The one or more computer processors create the one or more assembly plans containing one or more instructions for one or more self-assembling robots based on the determined necessary configuration parameters. The one or more computer processors send the one or more assembly plans to one or more self-assembling robots.

A first device is provided. The first device includes a first processing unit, wherein the first processing unit is adapted to determine a first status of a first connection between the first processing unit of the first device and a corresponding first processing unit of a second device; and a second processing unit, wherein the second processing unit is adapted to determine a second status of a second connection between the second processing unit of the first device and a corresponding second processing unit of the second device. The first processing unit is further adapted to: receive the second status of the second connection from the second processing unit of the first device over a path between the first processing unit of the first device and the second processing unit of the first device; and determine one or more actions to take with respect to a machine associated with the first device based on one or both of the first status and the second status.