Persistent Systems, a leader in mobile ad hoc networking (MANET), announced that leading autonomous and unmanned vehicle technologies provider Robotic Research has joined the Wave Relay® Ecosystem, an industry alliance of sensor and unmanned system companies that all utilize Persistent’s Wave Relay® mobile ad hoc network.
“The aim of the Wave Relay Ecosystem is to deliver the warfighter a truly unified battlefield network,” said Jeffrey Washington, Director of Business Development at Persistent Systems, “where all of the sensors and unmanned systems are united to deliver the warfighter real-time situational awareness.”
Robotic Research’s WarLoc, a boot-worn sensor for keeping track of dismounted troops in GPS-denied environments (caves, skyscrapers, subway tunnels), has already been proven to integrate and work seamlessly with Persistent’s MPU5 tactical networking device. WarLoc is currently deployed across U.S. Army Brigade Combat Teams and with U.S. Special Operations Command forces.
Likewise, Robotic Research plans to includes Persistent technology in its Pegasus IITM, mid-sized, transformable UAS/UGV. It is part of the company’s family of tactically deployable, transformable, autonomous robotic systems that provides all the air capability of a VTOL unmanned aerial system (UAS) in conjunction with the capabilities of an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). Robotic Research developed Pegasus for DTRA/CCDC AC in support of specialized missions where the system’s unique sequential use of aerial and ground capabilities extends the reach of the warfighter. Pegasus II demonstrated those capabilities during Project Convergence 20, where it was recognized as one of the most futuristic systems there.
Persistent is positioned to field over 10,000 radios/tactical networking devices to the U.S. Army across five UGV Programs of Record, and it is this leadership in networking unmanned vehicles that makes the collaboration between the two companies so significant.
“Robotic Research is honored to be a provider of autonomous and unmanned products and systems for a wide variety of defense and intelligence customers across the national security spectrum,” said Alberto Lacaze, co-founder and President of Robotic Research. “As a Wave Relay Ecosystem Partner, we can ensure that we are building our systems to be a part of the larger, integrated warfighter network that is taking shape on the battlefield.”
Robotic Research is also the prime autonomy provider of autonomous vehicle technology for the Expedient Leader-Follower program, which enables the platooning of unmanned, autonomous trucks, reducing the number of soldiers being put in harm’s way for many operational mission scenarios. Persistent has been collaborating with Robotic Research on this effort for the past 4 years.
“Robotic Research joining the Ecosystem is a major win for both companies,” Washington said.
