Variable Compliant Hydraulic Robotic Arm and Hand for Flexible Automation of Howitzer Manipulation

This project will research and develop a robotic arm to increase the Self-Propelled Howitzer Rate of Fire. The development will rely on the QMI Robotics flexible and adaptive hydraulic robotic arm, gripper, tactile sensors, and object localization software. The robotic system will occupy a smaller volume than traditional autoloader systems to retain space within the cab for crew maneuverability. The highly accurate robotic system will manipulate heavy payload for high rates of fire with large, next-generation munitions. The complaint robotic arm will prevent injury due to collisions between crew and robotic arm, and a LIDAR system will be employed for active tracking to prevent these collisions. The manipulation system will rely on active tracking of munitions through point cloud data. The system will stow munitions in the magazine for known munitions location and real-time Inventory Management through tracking of on-board ammunition storage and usage.