Sensors in unmanned robotic vehicle

Unmanned tracked vehicles are developed for deployment in dangerous zones that are not safe for human existence. These vehicles are to be fitted with various sensors for safe manoeuvre. Wide range of sensors for vehicle control, vision, and navigation are employed. The main purpose of the sensors is to infer the intended parameter precisely for further utilisation. Software is inseparable part of the sensors and plays major role in scaling, noise reduction, and fusion. Sensor fusion is normally adapted to enhance the decision-making. Vehicle location and orientation can be sensed through global positioning system, accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass. The unmanned vehicle can be navigated with the help of CCD camera, radar, lidar, ultrasonic sensor, piezoelectric sensor, microphone, etc. Proximity sensors like capacitive and RF proximity detectors can detect obstacles in close vicinity. This paper presents an overview of sensors normally deployed in unmanned tracked vehicles.