This past January, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a visit to the Central Institute for Scientific Research “Tochmash” in the town of Kilmovsk, Moscow, to witness the unveiling of what the Russian military believes was supposed to be robot killing-machine. According to the Russian news outlet, Sputnik, the robot was designed to look and act like an android straight out of a sci-fi, but judging by the look of utter contempt on Putin’s face, it would appear he is not impressed with its combat prowess. And who can blame him? The robot looks more like a stage prop for a 60’s constructed by grandma for you school musical.
In the video demonstration below, the robot fires five shots from its gun (at who knows what) while simultaneously piloting an ATV around a training area at (what appears to be) five miles an hour. Better yet, the robot did not even accomplish this autonomously. Instead, it was remotely controlled by a nearby operator. Perhaps Putin expected something similar to the Terminator, rather than a remote controlled RC car with C3-PO mounted on top.
According to Russia Today, Tochmash allegedly stated that the combat robot was designed to have functions comparable to a human being, and eventually be able assist in the construction of infrastructure, travel over difficult terrain, and assist in the construction of infrastructure. The machine is part of a larger initiative to someday advance the Russian military with autonomous tanks and unmanned vehicles. But its rudimentary design begs the question: is this all that Russia’s leading military equipment R&D institute capable of?
Advertisement
Learn more about Electronic Products Magazine
