Applications for the MATILDA robotic platform

Most robotic platforms have, up to this point, been designed with emphasis placed on improving mobility technologies. Minimal emphasis has been placed on payloads and mission execution. Using a "top-down" approach, Mesa Associates, Inc. identified specific UGV mission applications and structured its MATILDA platform using these applications for vehicle mobility and motion control requirements. Specific applications identified for the MATILDA platform include: circle Target surveillance circle Explosive device neutralization circle Material pickup and transport circle Weapon transport and firing circle Law enforcement Current performance results, lessons-learned, technical hurdles, and future applications are examined.