Unmanned Systems Technology 038 l Skyeton Raybird-3 l Data storage l Sea-Kit X-Class USV l USVs insight l Spectronik PEM fuel cells l Blue White Robotics UVIO l Antennas l AUVSI Xponential Virtual 2021 report

Platform one Panasonic has updated the stalwart component of its GCS, the Toughbook, with a quad-core processor and detachable screen (writes Nick Flaherty). Rather than having to choose between a tablet or a PC, GCS designers can use the two-in-one design to meet customer requirements for a keyboard or touchscreen interface. The Toughbook 33 updates the processor to a quad-core Intel Core i5- 10310U processor (up from a dual core in the previous version) with twice the memory, at 16 Gbytes of RAM (and the option of 32 Gbytes or 512 Gbyte SSD). This Opal SSD uses an NVME interface (see data storage focus, page 34) and self-encrypts data in real time, freeing processor capacity for missions. The design keeps the user hot- swappable, extended twin batteries that are a key capability for GCS designs. This follows a recall of the Toughbook G1 in February following issues with the charging system. The Toughbook 33 also adds the latest wi-fi 6 802.11ax for longer range and higher data rate connections to a UAV, along with Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity and a USB Type C port with charging capabilities. The 12 in unit runs Windows 10 Pro and has an outdoor 1200 cd/m 2 QHD (2160 x 1440 pixel) display with 3:2 aspect ratio. It also has a sunlight- viewable, glove-enabled, 10-finger capacitive dual-touch screen and is drop-resistant to 150 cm with an IP65 rating against dust and water. Toughbook GCS upgrade Vehicle control Panasonic’s latest Toughbook doubles its performance compared with previous versions What do robotics and Rajant’s network have in common? Intelligence. Autonomy. Freedom to Move . That’s why Rajant Kinetic Mesh® is the choice to deliver mission-critical connectivity for the most mobile autonomous vehicles, drones, and robotics platforms. Autonomously self-optimizing network intelligently reacts to change in real-time Works peer-to-peer to maintain ‘never break’ mobility, even at high speeds The only private wireless solution enabling machine-to-machine communications Want to learn more? WhitePaper: LeveragingRobotics toEnhance IndustrialSecurityandPublicSafetywithTheHelpofWirelessMesh 4 At themostbasic level, today’s robotsare computers placedonmobileplatforms.Sometimes theyareused in a sentinelmode, stationedatdoorwaysor tethered in the air,but theydeliver themost valuewhenorganizations have the flexibility tomove themaroundasneeded. When it comes toplanning for securitydeployments, technologicalmobility isaparadigm-changer.Hundreds ofdetectionpoints, cameras,and sensors canbe replacedwith far fewermobile,autonomous solutions covering the same territory.Robots themselvesmaybe costly,but theirexpense is fractional compared to the overwhelmingamountof infrastructurenecessary to supportpermanent securitydevices. WhenCSOsevaluate technologyoptions, their foremost consideration is “Howwill this solvemyproblem?” CTOs’ concernsover “Howwill thiswork?”deserve equalweight. Themethodbywhich robots connect and communicateacross thenetwork is fundamental to their viabilityandoverall cost.Technological challenges andperformance limitations can render themuntenable, regardlessof the robots’ capabilitiesand features. Wirelessmesh,whichenableshighly secure, fluid communicationsbetweenhundredsofdevices, including those inmotion,alleviatesabroad swathof stakeholders’ concerns. Thegreatest challenge in supporting roboticand autonomous solutions is keeping them connected. Wirelessmeshnetworksareunique in theirability to provide consistent, reliable coverageacross virtually any space, regardlessof theproperty’s size, topography, physicalobstacles,RF traffic,andweather conditions. There’snodiggingof trenches to laypowerorawired infrastructure;no strategicpositioningofgatewayaccess points fordevices to connect through. Instead, thenetwork comprisesanynumberof radios,or nodes, thatautomatically identifyand transmit toothers within range, continuallyadjusting to find the fastestand most stable connections.Data is reroutedbasedon changing conditions, including signal strength, competing traffic,bandwidthneeds,andother factors. For roboticandautonomous solutions,wheremobility is of critical importance,RajantKineticMeshgoesa step further,offeringmachine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity anddual radios foralternativepathways to sendand receive. In suchnetworks,mobileassetsareeach equippedwitha transceiver.Asa result, their connection to thenetwork supports theirown communicationand strengthens thenetworkby creatingnewdatapathways. Plus–particularly relevant fordronesand robots—as theseassetsmove, sodoes thenetwork supporting them. MobileTechnologyOffersManyBenefits Keeping it connected is crucial WhitePaper: LeveragingRobotics toEnhance IndustrialSecurityandPublicSafetywithTheHelpofWirelessMesh LEVERAGINGROBOTICSTOENHANCE INDUSTRIALSECURITY &PUBLICSAFETYWITH theHelpofWirelessMesh Autonomous robotic solutionsareexpanding the role that technologyplays inenhancing securityandpublic safetywhile creatingoperationalefficienciesand cost savings. PaulBenne,PSP,CPOI,Founder&PresidentofSentinelConsulting Download the white paper, Leveraging Robotics to Enhance Industrial Security & Public Safety with the Help of Wireless Mesh, at rajant.com/ust