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Unmanned Ground Vehicle/Robotics Remote Control Solutions
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'FLEXkit System' Overview
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LESS
MORE
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weight, space, cost & setup time.
interoperability & flexibility!
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The world's FIRST modular, embedded
Unmanned Vehicle Operator Control Unit (OCU).
Replaces as much as 32 kgs of gear with ONLY 8kgs!
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THE NEW Openfire 'FLEXkit' System is a revolution in unmanned ground or marine vehicle controls. It replaces existing stand-alone radios, amplifiers and antennae to deliver the closest thing to an Unmanned Systems Common Operator Control Unit (COCU) architecture currently available.
In the FLEXkit model, an OCU (Operator Control Unit) is comprised of a Remote Control Module (RCM) specific to a particular robot system, a modular (removable) hard drive (HDD) that contains the device control and management software, and an operator control interface (typically a console with joystick supplied by the robot system vendor).
FLEXkit eliminates the need for a complicated collection of vendor-specific hardware for each robotics platform, by replacing it with a common set of hardware that can be easily adapted for a range of unmanned devices. Now, swapping between modules and software drivers is all that's required to swap between robotics devices.
The result is not just quicker set up times, but lower costs, less logistics planning and greater flexibility.
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'FLEXkit System' Building Blocks
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'FLEXkit RCM' (Remote Control Module)
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With a selection of Remote Control Modules to suit a
range of popular UMGVs, now logistics planning is
as simple as taking the right RCM and HDD with you ...
... plus some spares for greater redundancy!
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Overview
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At the heart of the FLEXkit System is the Remote Control Module (RCM), which is a cassette that loads directly into the DVD drive bay of a standard 'Openfire RPC Series' 13.3", 15" or 17" notebook computer. By connecting the robot control handset or joystick to the notebook and loading the appropriate robot control software (as simple as swapping hard drive cassettes), communications to the robot are established via the interface in the RCM.
RCMs are available in either 'wireless' or 'wired' formats. Wireless RCMs are available with 900MHz, 2.4GHz, 4.9GHz and 5.8GHz radios and either integrated antenna or external antenna connections. Optionally, Fibre Optic or Copper interfaces (hard wired) are available for various devices.
Because the RCM loads directly into te notebook, the only other device needed (apart from an external antenna if required) is the control handset.
This simple, modular concept has proven so successful with US Armed Forces that a number of market leaders (see examples below) in remote controlled Unmanned Systems have adopted FLEXkit as their 'control platform of choice'. A selection of devices for which RCMs have been developed are listed below.
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'FLEXkit System' In Action
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iRobot 'PackBot'
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Overview
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The PackBot FLEXkit RCM has been combat tested on thousands of iRobot 'PackBot' unmanned ground vehicles. The one-piece PackBot OCU is proven to deliver reliability equivalent to the original manufacturer's control system, yet in a more compact and rugged format.
Now this tiny robot has a tiny control platform that offers big performance benefits!
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AGT's 'MARCbot'
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Overview
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The OCU RCM developed for Applied Geo Technologies' 'MARCbot' (Multi-function Agile Remote Controlled Robot) helped establish the reputation of MARCbot with field personnel in the US.
By delivering superior remote control capabilities for this pioneering technology, more simply and less expensively, it established FLEXkit as a 'future system available today'.
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SeaBotix' 'LBV'
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Overview
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SeaBotix' 'Little Benthic Vehicle' (LBV) unmanned underwater vehicle performs underwater inspections, interdictions and surveillance at depths to 600 metres.
The LBV OCU meets all US military requirements for severe maritime conditions. It's hardly suprising, considering the related RPT tablet technology that we deploy for the Australian Navy is the only computer operating in coastal surveillance and intercept roles that has survived more than three years of continual maritime service aboard open boats (RHIBs). That's the sort of durability you can expect from FLEXkit!
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Custom Robotics OCUs
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?
Talk to us about YOUR ground or marine robotics
application to see how FLEXkit modules
could be developed to suit.
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Overview
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What makes the FLEXkit OCU concept even more exciting is that as new UMGVs, remote marine vehicles or remote sensors are developed for which this architecture is suitable, we can custom engineer a new RCM for that device.
Simply call us to discuss your application.
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These systems are currently in service with US Armed Forces and are tried and tested in active theatre operations.
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Product Index