A next-generation unmanned ground vehicle to defeat threats such as improvised explosive devices and vehicle-borne IEDs has been announced by Remotec Inc.

Andros FX by Remotec, a Northrop Grumman company, features four track pods that replace the traditional Andros articulators, a new arm design with more lift capacity and greater dexterity, updated system electronics, mobility improvements for increased speed and maneuverability, and a new touchscreen operator control unit with 3-D system graphics, advanced manipulator controls and improved user interface.

The system builds upon Remotec's F6 family of robots. Its operating system provides much more information to the operator while easing user workload through more interactivity with intelligent payloads such as chemical and radiation sensors and preset arm positions that make manipulation of objects much easier, faster and more accurate.

"Bomb squads have told us what they need most are more capabilities to counter vehicle-borne IEDs," said Walt Werner, director, Northrop Grumman Remotec. "Andros FX was designed from the ground up based on that feedback to give the bomb tech community the most advanced technology while at the same time making the system easier to use and maintain to keep danger at a distance."

Andros FX will debut next week at the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators annual International In-Service Training conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania.