The Global UGV Market is expected to grow at a whopping CAGR of 31.34 percent during the 2014-2019 period.
Technavio analysts have honed in on three key trends in the market that are making UGVs a must have, especially for defense sectors:
Increased Usage of LWIR Uncooled Cameras
Autonomous navigation is a significant requirement for the operation of UGV. These vehicles are being developed for both military and commercial purposes to perform tasks in difficult situations. The ability to perform autonomous navigation at any time requires either high-quality video cameras or line-of-sight visual observation.
Autonomous navigation depends primarily on imaging sensors, which are listed below:
The primary factors that lead to loss of images and data are as follows:
- Poor camera calibration
- Low-texture regions in an area
- Blurred images because of wrong positioning of cameras
During the past few years, the usage of thermal imaging or infrared cameras in UGV has increased in both the Defense and Commercial sectors. The prime reasons for the increased usage of IR cameras in UGV are given below:
With the changing nature of warfare, manufacturers in collaboration with defense agencies are improving the existing UGV and manufacturing new autonomous UGV equipped with high-quality LWIR uncooled cameras. Thermal IR cameras have the capability to operate without emitting detectable and strong electromagnetic signals and can be used both during night and day.
Currently, LWIR cameras are the most innovative thermal imaging devices available in the market. They use uncooled microbolometers to produce high-quality thermal images both during day and night.
For instance, the Remotec TAGS unmanned land vehicle uses TacFLIR III, a powerful long range stabilized multi-sensor imager with target geo-positioning. It provides clear stable images in total darkness, smoke-filled battlefields, fog, rain, and other situations.
Initiation by defense agencies in collaboration with manufacturers to accomplish autonomous navigation of UGV has increased the demand for LWIR uncooled cameras for UGV, which in turn will boost the growth of the market.
Growing Inclination toward Autonomous UGV
As warfare is becoming more severe, defense departments are focusing on technological improvements of UGV. The changing nature of military engagements and increased usage of reconnaissance collected from teleoperated and semi-autonomous UGV are driving the market to manufacture and deploy autonomous UGV.
The major advantages driving the market toward automation of these vehicles are given below:
Currently, defense departments and the Commercial sector are using teleoperated and semi-autonomous UGV. However, with the growing usage and dependence on UGV, defense agencies along with manufacturers are investing in the development and manufacture of autonomous UGV.
The major technology enablers for the proper functioning and navigation of autonomous UGV, as per the US Army’s RS JPO, are listed below:
- Night vision devices
- Terrain mobility
- Power
- Communication and connectivity
- Soldier-machine interface
Some of the autonomous UGV currently used by defense agencies are listed below:
Integration into Modern Battlefield
It is difficult to predict the actual nature of warfare in the coming years; however, the requirements for unmanned systems are certain to undergo a change. It is expected that machines will replace humans in the coming years.
For instance, to modernize its defense forces, the army of China is conducting research into developing unmanned armored vehicles for future battles. Also, the US Army, in coordination with UGV manufacturers, has developed a series of UGV and put them to use during wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Most manufacturers find it difficult to design UGV that can be combined with manned platforms and systems and cater to modern warfare. To operate as an integrated combat and medical battlefield network, UGV have to provide adequate battlefield casualty extraction, critical life-saving interventions, and physiological monitoring.
Some recent trials have been conducted by BAE Systems to better understand the integration of UGV with modern warfare. The “Multi-Operated All-Terrain Vehicle” was tested in combination with safety systems and was found to be sufficiently robust to operate safely by personnel in close proximity.
