International Journal of Electronics and Communication

INTERNATIONAL JOURNALEngineering & Technology (IJECET),

OF ELECTRONICS ANDISSN 0976 –
6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online), Volume 5, Issue 9, September (2014), pp. 35-38 © IAEME
COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (IJECET)

ISSN 0976 – 6464(Print)

ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online) IJECET
Volume 5, Issue 9, September (2014), pp. 35-38
© IAEME: http://www.iaeme.com/IJECET.asp
Journal Impact Factor (2014): 7.2836 (Calculated by GISI) ©IAEME
www.jifactor.com

ROBOTS FOR SURVEILLANCE IN MILITARY

APPLICATIONS

SAURABH NALAWADE
Dist.-Thane, Mumbai, India

ABSTRACT

In the world of information technology information is the key. Similar can be said about any
country’s military and law enforcement agencies. A lot of human lives are involved in this dangerous
process of surveillance. Surveillance is a dangerous job. There is always a risk of getting caught in
spying. Robots are unmanned devices and can be controlled from remote location. Also if they are
spotted there is absolutely no risk or way of identifying to whom does the robot belong. Also a lot of
collateral damage can be reduced by using the robots in military applications. It is also important to
have eyes and ears in sky, water and on land for surveillance. This paper aims to provide a possible
solution or example of such unique use of robots in military surveillance and espionage. With the
help of technologies like Xbee it is possible to develop long range robots which can be controlled
from remote locations. In this way we can reduce the human interference and also save some lives.

Keywords: Surveillance, Robot, Xbee, PIR, Military.

I. INTRODUCTION

According to the data released by Washington Post the US casualties in the wars of Iraq and
Afghanistan amount to around 4800 and 2344 respectively. The number of wounded is further
greater than 50000. These casualties can be reduced if we use robots for warfare purposes.
The goal of Xbee based Moving & Flying Robot is to create a small, robust and highly
manoeuvrable automotive moving and flying robot that can be used both indoors and outdoors under
any weather conditions. The whole system is built into two parts; Moving Unit and Flying Unit. Its
robust performance is achieved by using simple but reliable highly optimized algorithms. The robot
is medium sized and less heavy.
The key to achieving this goal is to build minimalist platforms that are light-weight and
controllable at very high frequencies, (e.g. 40 MHz). The advantage of having control at high
frequency facilitated very fast response to changing environmental conditions e.g. strong choppy

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International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), ISSN 0976 –
6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online), Volume 5, Issue 9, September (2014), pp. 35-38 © IAEME

winds. It also allows extreme acrobatic manoeuvres. The challenges to achieving this kind of control
are both on the hardware and the software front. From a hardware point of view we need light-weight
low-cost Inertial Measurement Units (I MU) capable of fast responses. From a software point of
view, robust control algorithms that are tightly coupled to the hardware are needed. Human presence
can also be detected by the use of Passive Infrared Sensor (PIR). Everybody emits certain amount of
heat radiation this PIR sensor detects this infrared signal and notifies the controller.

A. Moving Unit

1) Receiver Part

Receiving PIR Battery

antenna Sensor

Xbee Microcontroller

Camera
Program Motor Driver
Unit

Motors 9v Battery

Fig 1: Receiver block diagram

The receiving antenna receives the signal send from the transmitter and directs it to the
Xbee transceiver. The Xbee forwards the received signal to the microcontroller unit. Depending on
the commands received from the transmitter the microcontroller gives commands to the motors to
perform certain mechanical actions like move forward, reverse, left, right. There is also a PIR sensor
present on the receiver.
The function of this sensor is to sense any human activity in the vicinity of the receiver and
notify the controller. PIR stands for passive Infrared Sensor. The camera present on the receiver side
transmits the live feed to the portable television. The main function of this camera is that it transmits
the signal or the feed wirelessly through the antenna.
The transmitted signals or the video information is viewed on a portable TV on the
transmitter side with the help of a tuner. The camera is power by a 9 volts battery. The
microcontroller is programmed by using Keil software which is described in the latter chapters.
The programming unit consists of the level converter ICs used to convert signal levels from
0 to -15 or 0 to 15 to 0 or 5 respectively

2) Transmitter Part

The main components of the block diagram are as follows:-

1. 9 v Battery
2. Xbee Transceiver
3. Control Buttons

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International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), ISSN 0976 –
6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online), Volume 5, Issue 9, September (2014), pp. 35-38 © IAEME

The main component of the transmitter is Xbee unit. The Xbee is programmed to send certain
signal for certain commands given by the control unit.
For example if the robot is to be moved forward the front two buttons of the controller are
pressed together hence a code is generated by the Xbee. It then transmits the code to the receiver
which the moves the necessary
ecessary motors to move the robot forward.

Antenna

Controller Unit Xbee Transceiver

(Buttons)

9 volts battery CCD camera

receiver

To T.V or PC

Fig 2:
2 Transmitter Block diagram

B. FLYING UNIT
Another robot in the form of quad rotor or quad copter spy robot can be implemented. This
robot is a flying unit it can be flown anywhere we want it to go. If the robot is detected or found by
the enemy it can be self-destructed
destructed by connecting a bomb to the mechanism.
Night vision camera can be used so that the robot can also be used for spying during night
time. Eight different kinds of sensors can be interfaced to the robot.
The vehicular/moving unit is designed to carry the flying unit to remote locations. The main
reason for this unit is the flying unit’s battery saving. The
The flight time of the flying unit is restricted to
few minutes. So, the vehicular unit carries the flying unit to locations where it can reach on ground.
By doing so, the flying unit is at rest and its battery is saved and ultimately, we will get more flighflight
time. This flying robot can be anything from miniature helicopter to a quadrocopter
quadrocopter. One such
example is as shown below.

Fig 3: Demo kit of Quad hybrid helicopter

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International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), ISSN 0976 –
6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online), Volume 5, Issue 9, September (2014), pp. 35-38 © IAEME

II. TYPES OF ROBOTS USED IN MILITARY AROUND THE WORLD

A lot of military organizations all around the world today make use of robot to carry out
certain operations which can prove harmful or are impossible for humans to do. Military robots have
developed through time and the advent of technology. At present, military organizations use a variety
of robots for different use. Some of the robots are as discussed below
Given here is a brief description on the present use of military robots:

1. Daksh – Daksh is one of the most widely used military robots. This robot is powered
electrically and controlled remotely. The main function of this robot is location handling and
destruction of dangerous objects, like bombs, safely. This robot is highly automotive. It has
the ability to climb, run and walk like humans. Due to these features it is the widely used
military robot around the world. Moreover, it can also scan objects using its portable X-ray
device.
2. Goalkeeper – Goalkeeper is also frequently used robot in military. It is used to defend ships
from incoming missiles as well as ballistic shells. This military robot is a Dutch close-in
weapon system. This system implements auto cannon and advanced radar that tracks
incoming fires. It is an automatic system that can be also be deployed to protect airfields.
3. PackBot – PackBot consists of series of military robots. PackBot 510 is the most recent base
model. This model utilizes a videogame-style hand controller. It is available with different
configurations like PackBot 510 with EOD bomb disposal, PackBot 510 with fast Tactical
Maneuvering Kit; PackBot 510 with first responder kit, PackBot 510 with HazMat Detection
Kit, PackBot 510 with Fido and PackBot 510 with REDOWL Sniper Detection Kit.
4. MARCbot - These robots has been used to inspect suspicious objects. It is a low cost robotic
platform, and it has been used in Iraq for the inspection of suspicious objects. This robot is
one amongst the smallest and the most commonly used military robots. It comprises of small
truck and a camera mount. The camera is utilized for looking behind the doors. It has the
capacity to run 6 hours on a set of fully charged batteries and was developed with the input of
soldiers in Iraq to meet their needs.

III. CONCLUSION

As we have seen thus far it is just beneficial to use an integrated robot system which consists
of both the moving and the flying unit. The moving unit should be designed for robust and difficult
terrain. It should be possible for the robot to reach far and remote places where humans cannot reach.
The vehicular/moving unit is designed to carry the flying unit to remote locations. The main reason
for this unit is the flying unit’s battery saving. The flight time of the flying unit is restricted to few
minutes. So, the vehicular unit carries the flying unit to locations where it can reach on ground. By
doing so, the flying unit is at rest and its battery is saved and ultimately, we will get more flight time.

REFERENCES

1. Articles from Washington Post

2. http://www.armyofrobots.com/military-robots-tools-weapons.html.
3. ROBOTICS: MILITARY APPLICATIONS FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES,
research report by George M. Pierce II, Major, USAF.
4. Sreekanth Reddy Kallem, “Artificial Intelligence in the Movement of Mobile Agent
(Robotic)”, International Journal of Computer Engineering & Technology (IJCET),
Volume 4, Issue 6, 2013, pp. 394 - 402, ISSN Print: 0976 – 6367, ISSN Online: 0976 – 6375.

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