MARCbot
{{Infobox weapon
|is_vehicle=yes
|name= Multi-function Agile Remote-Controlled Robot {{cite web|title=MARCbot|url=http://www.exponent.com/experience/marcbot/|website=Exponent Inc.|accessdate=9 July 2016}}
|origin= United States of America (United States Army Rapid Equipping Force)
| image = MARCbot.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption= MARCbot extends its camera to search for suspected improvised explosive devices
|type= Demolition vehicle
|service= Iraq, Afghanistan
|used_by= United States Army
|manufacturer= Exponent
|production_date=
|weight= {{convert|32|lb|kg|abbr=on}} {{cite web|last1=Miller|first1=W. Lee|title=USMC Ground Robotics Current and Desired Future Capabilities|url=http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2009groundrobot/Miller.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719155448/http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2009groundrobot/Miller.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 July 2013|website=Defense Technical Information Center|publisher=Defense Technical Information Center|accessdate=9 July 2016}}
|length= {{convert|24|in|m|abbr=on}}
|width= {{convert|19.5|in|m|abbr=on}}
|height= {{convert|13.5|in|m|abbr=on}}
|crew= One remote operator
|armour=
|primary_armament=
|engine=
|engine_power=
|vehicle_range= Up to {{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}} (Line of sight), 6h on batteries
}}
The Multi-function Agile Remote-Controlled Robot (MARCbot) is a military robot created by Exponent Inc. for the United States Army Rapid Equipping Force.{{cite web|last1=Cohen|first1=William J.|last2=Zemach|first2=Ken|title=The MARCbot: The Army Program that Revolutionized Robotics for Patrol Warfighters|url=http://www.exponent.com/files/Uploads/Documents/TechDev/Exponent_IQT%20Quarterly_Summer%202011.pdf|website=Exponent Inc.|accessdate=9 July 2016}}
Design
The MARCbot was designed as a low cost robotic platform used in Iraq for the inspection of suspicious objects.{{cite web|url=http://www.iedrobot.com/marcbot/marcbotindex.htm|title=MARCbot (Multi-function Agile Remote Control Robot)|publisher=IEDRobot.com}} Until its creation when US Army patrols encountered a potential improvised explosive device, they had to either wait for a specialist explosive ordnance disposal team with its specialist / expensive robots, or investigate the suspicious package themselves. Exponent worked with the Rapid Equipping Force to create a low-cost robot for patrol units. Over 1000 MARCbots were eventually created for the US Army for the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. The MARCbot reputedly costs $19,000 - however this is less than other contemporary military robots.
The MARCbot is one of smallest and most commonly used robots in Iraq and looks like a small toy truck with an elevated mast on which a camera is mounted.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/05/AR2007050501009_pf.html|title=Bots on The Ground|author=Garreau, Joel|newspaper=Washington Post|date=2007-05-06|accessdate=2008-01-27}} This camera is used to look, for example, behind doors or through windows without placing human soldiers in danger.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\02\17\story_17-2-2006_pg7_54|title=War of the future: US to create more 'robot warriors' to save 'precious' American lives|publisher=Daily Times|date=2006-02-17|accessdate=2008-01-27}} It is capable of running for 6 hours on a set of fully charged batteries and was developed with the input of soldiers in Iraq to meet their needs.
Use as an offensive weapon
The MARCbot was the first ground robot to draw blood in Iraq.{{cite web|url=http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=wq.essay&essay_id=496613|title=Robots at War: The New Battlefield|author=Singer, P. W.|publisher=Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars|access-date=26 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107122035/http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=wq.essay&essay_id=496613|archive-date=7 January 2010|url-status=dead}} One unit jury-rigged a Claymore antipersonnel mine on their units. If they suspected an ambush they would send the robot ahead. If an insurgent was seen the Claymore would be detonated.
See also
References
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
Category:Unmanned ground vehicles