Robot revolution begins: Strider set to transform safety, Oxford announced
Strider can navigate difficult terrains and handle contaminated objects.
Oxford Dynamics, based in Harwell, Oxfordshire, is developing a robot named Strider to operate in hazardous environments, such as chemical, biological, or nuclear incidents. The company has secured a £1m contract with the Ministry of Defence to design and supply this advanced robot by September.
Strider is equipped to handle tasks that are dangerous for humans, like retrieving contaminated objects and performing semi-autonomous activities. The robot is designed to navigate difficult terrains using infra-red, radar, and lidar systems, making it highly versatile in various scenarios, including those similar to the Novichok attack in Salisbury.
Mike Lawton, a director at Oxford Dynamics, envisions building thousands of Strider robots to benefit global safety. He emphasizes the importance of deploying machines instead of humans in life-threatening situations. The company also plans to enhance Strider with AVIS AI software, inspired by JARVIS from the Iron Man films, to further improve its capabilities.
Founder Shefali Sharma sees potential for adapting the technology to submarines and fighter jets, aiming to get these innovations into the hands of those who need them most. The initiative has been praised by Defra, highlighting the rapid progress from concept to a highly capable platform.
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