AI and IoT-Based Intelligent Automation in Robotics

Artificial intelligence (AI), also known as the Industrial Revolution 4.0, has been making great strides in scientific and technological development across varying fields. It is capable of making noteworthy changes in the manner in which activities of civilians and military operations are conducted [22]. Countries across the world are busy making their armed forces more efficient using emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and robotics. Russia, China, and the United States are competing with each other to become the leader in this technology, with India also wanting to join this race [24]. India is planning to secure its border against autonomous armed robots from two major neighboring countries, China and Pakistan, using a smart surveillance alert system. The Indian Ministry of Defence has directed the Defence Research and Development Organisation to develop armed robots and other military equipment like autonomous tanks, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), etc.

In August 2017, the Indian Army stated that it intends to utilize several indigenously assembled robots to fight against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Purportedly these robots can convey ammo at the planned areas in the event of perilous and crisis circumstances has just endorsed a military proposition to enlist 544 robots for this reason. These robots are lightweight and consist of reconnaissance cameras and transmission frameworks with a scope of 200 meters [25, 36].

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was established in 1958, and ever since it has been working to make the Indian Army powerful in terms of technology. The DRDO has more than 1800+ industry partnerships and has collaborated with these companies to make equipment, systems, products and technologies for the army, some of which are [25]:

Daksh – Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

NETRA – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Confined Space Remotely Operated Vehicle (CSROV)

Surveillance Remotely Operated Vehicle (SROV) (on the verge of induction)

Unexploded Ordnance Handling Robot (UXOR)

Figure 3.5 Indian military robots.

Figure 3.5shows a few autonomous robots developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation. The DRDO is responsible for research and development of weapons based on new technology in India and has more than 1800+ industrial partners for development and research of new weapons [25].

Robotics has a broad area of application in warfare because there are many dangerous tasks which should be performed by robots instead of humans like diffusing IEDs and bombs. In warfare there are several tasks to perform for which there are many types of specially designed robots. Armed forces can use robots to search out enemies in any kind of situation and destroy them. Robots can be a surveillance system, an autonomous tank, an aerial drone or an armed soldier. Some of the application areas of robotics are presented below.

Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used all over the world by armies. They are armed with GPS, an infrared camera, and lasers, which makes them more dangerous. Unmanned aerial vehicles are IoT enabled. They are all connected with each using IoT techniques. The internet of things (IoT) provides a platform to connect devices so they can communicate with each other, transfer data using the cloud for better user experience or to perform military operations very efficiently [34]. As per a report by Goldman Sachs, global militaries will have spent $70 billion on UAV innovationsby 2020 [27].

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is as of now taking a shot at semi-autonomous Demon UAVs that can be launched and recovered by a mothership [33]. Additionally, in the United Statespocket-sized observation bots are being tried. In the meantime, Germany and France have lately reported on designing and building another military aircraft named the “Eurodrone,” which is set for takeoff in 2040. Utilizing drones for military purposes might make sure that errands progress successfully and in a cost-efficient manner, in addition to sparing lives [35]. Drones can be sent in circumstances where keeping an eye on flight is considered excessively hazardous or troublesome, go about as a day in and day out eye in the sky, and convey arms with more note worthy exactness [27].

Figure 3.6 Autonomous drones in action.

Figure 3.6shows autonomous drones in action. They can play an important role in any type of warfare. Using these drones, militaries can destroy enemies without entering their borders. They are especially useful for anti-terror military operations, and the United States have used these drones against terrorists in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan and have gotten amazing results.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used for security in the skies in a similar manner as autonomous tanks and vehicles are used for security on ground. They help reduce the risk of losing human life in warfare. Tanks can be autonomous or semi-autonomous and are equipped with surveillance systems, sensors, cameras, and weapons. UAVs are connected with each other through the internet of things (IoT) and communicate with each other on IoT platforms using the cloud. The IoT is an emerging technology like artificial intelligence (AI), the cloud and big data.

Russia, close to the United States, is one of the nations driving advances in unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) innovation. Lately, JSC 766 UPTK, a producer of military equipment, sent their Uran-6 UGVs to Syria to incapacitate bombs and mines and investigate unknown territories. They’re also building a 10-ton battle UGV with a 30mm gun and 7.62mm automatic rifle to be used against tank rockets, just as the T-14, a semi-self-governing tank. UGVs are getting basic to ground missions, going about as eyes, ears and even battle troopers. By sending robots in first, people are kept securely out of risk. Their abilities likewise empower better nonmilitary personnel security, even in the outcome of battle, as they can defuse remaining bombs and mines [27].

Figure 3.7 Autonomous tanks.

Figure 3.7shows the autonomous tanksin action. Autonomous tanks and vehicles can play an important role on the battle ground. Future wars will be the same as now, but human soldiers will be replaced by humanoid robots, tanks will be replaced by autonomous tanks, and ships and submarines will be replaced by autonomous ships and submarines.

Submarines are the hidden players of any warfare, which have the capability to change the result of warfare. Submarines have capabilities to surprise enemies. Since they operate under the water, it is very difficult to trace them. One drawback with submarines is that they need crew members to operate them. Autonomous submarines will solve this problem, and this type of submarine is currently under development.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) developed the Sea Hunter in 2018, having a length of 40 meters, speed of 27 knots. The Sea Hunter operates up to three months at a time without a crew or anyone controlling it remotely. As of late, the U.S. Office of Naval Research showed an armada of self-ruling pontoons imparting and swarming an objective altogether. Their possible future use? Shielding harbors from assault [19]. Asia and Europe are additionally dealing with different unmanned boat ventures. In the UK, the Royal Navy as of late took was responsible for an autonomous minesweeper framework that can clear ocean mines.