Unmanned Systems Technology 016 | Hydromea Vertex AUV | Power management systems | Unmanned Space Vehicles | Continental CD-155 turbodiesel | Swift 020 UAV | ECUs | DSEI 2017 Show report

Digital Concepts Engineering (DCE) has launched an autonomous UGV for search and rescue, comms relaying, logistics and other roles (writes Rory Jackson). The X-2 evolved from a consortium between DCE and G32 Technology to build an autonomous weed identification and spraying system for farmland with challenging terrain and thick vegetation. The vehicle has a speed of 5 kph, and operates for up to ten hours with either a 90 or 100 Ah lithium-iron phosphate battery pack. “We chose that type of pack because the X-2 is being used in a rugged environment, potentially by relatively untrained people,” said Ed Gummow at DCE. “It’s less energy dense and costlier than lithium-ion, but has a greater number of charge-discharge cycles in its lifespan – possibly four times as many.” The X-2 is fitted with Marionette, a modular, low-latency control system. The chassis is based on DCE’s agricultural IBEX robot, with an upgraded control system that gives high-grade comms, video multiplexing and more. Farming UGV branches out Ground vehicles The X-2 is descended from a UGV designed for rough farmland