Explosive devices are a cheap and easy way for terrorists and foes to launch a large-scale attack. These threats are numerous and in constant evolution, becoming evermore difficult to detect, access or neutralize. It is particularly true when dealing with IED/OED devices or Chemical, Biological, radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) hazards. Therefore, robotic systems must be versatile enough to adapt to these threats.
Having a versatile and efficient UGV can be achieved through constant innovation, accompanied by technical evolutions and expansion of performance, functions or integration of payloads. Compatibility is another characteristic that many UGV users are looking for when managing multiple UGV platforms – sharing the same command and control interface or when it comes to sensors plug-ins.
Leveraging on the cutting-edge technologies implemented on its latest IGUANA UGV, ECA GROUP has also upgraded the CAMELEON E robot. ECA GROUP now offers the CAMELEON E MK3, a new version with enhanced performances, with an intuitive user interface that is now compatible with ECA GROUP’s entire and wide range of UGVs.
Typical mission’s modules such as the manipulator 6 axis arm, the Pan&Tilt zoom camera, the X-Ray system, gripper jaws, disrupters, COFDM transmission, fiber optic transmission, CBRN…are fully compatible with the IGUANA UGV range.
As well, CAMELEON MK3 is fully compatible with the UAV IT180, which can be used in collaborating mode on the battlefield in order to give tactical feedback to the operator.
Benefitting from the latest electronic development made for the IGUANA UGV, the CAMELEON E MK3 has seen its internal architecture upgraded. As a result, its technical capabilities have been enhanced to bring a real added value to operators in terms of user-friendliness, accessories compatible, performance and on-field maneuverability.
One of the main upgrades concerns its 6-axis manipulator arm, enhancing its performance. The arm is now compatible with the IGUANA UGV to reduce the logistic foot print and spare additional costs.
This major upgrade has been designed to facilitate articulated manipulation and offers more possibilities to on-field users, whichever the mission at stake.
Technical improvements implemented allow several advantages, including:
An Unmanned Ground Vehicle, the CAMELEON E was originally designed to access hazardous or constrained areas instead of human operators. It is thus primordial for the UGV’s operator to have a good vision of the environment surrounding the robot. Detecting threats or identifying suspicious objects, the CAMELEON E MK3 offers an enhanced situation awareness to the operator.
Thanks to the main camera upgrade, the Pan&Tilt camera, the CAMELEON E MK3 has seen its zoom capability grow from a X4 digital zoom to a X120 zoom (x10 optical and x12 digital). The operator can thus enjoy a high quality viewing over the operation and better identify threats from the distance.
More specifically, for IED/OED missions, the CAMELEON E MK3 is equipped with the latest cutting-edge X-ray module, allowing to check the insides of suspicious objects. Such feature is particularly adapted for critical sites’ protection or major events’ security.
For CBRN missions, the CAMELEON E MK3 can integrate sensors (AP4C, HDS101) and now the latest XAM7000 multi-gas sensor, capable of detecting and measuring simultaneously and continuously up to five gases.
Information transmission, from the robot to the control unit and return, is essential to successfully conduct a remotely operated mission. ECA GROUP has thus also enhanced the localization and transmission capabilities of the CAMELEON E MK3.
For a better situation awareness, the UGV is equipped with a GPS system allowing to precisely feature the position of both the robot and the operator on a map, that can be downloaded onto the control unit. The map uses the Geotiff format that allows to add geo-referencing information to an image. In addition, the laser telemeter capacity range has been significantly improved from 7 m to 25 m, allowing to determine the distance ahead for reconnaissance mission or to detect suspicious devices.
Transmission features have also received a technical upgrade to support operators on missions requiring to cover large areas. The optic fiber reel that can be optionally fitted on the UGV has seen its cable length increase by another 100m, reaching a 300m distance. Attention was also brought to strengthening the internal COFDM/MESH transmissions with a 500 meter reach in Line-of-sight propagation, and better range in industrial areas.
User-friendliness is at the heart of ECA GROUP’s concerns when dealing with robotic systems. To improve the handiness of the CAMELEON, the enhanced multi-axis manipulator arm can be controlled in Cartesian mode to facilitate manipulation works, allowing high precision when grabbing objects.
User manipulation is possible through the intuitive portable control unit. Both software and hardware were upgraded to support operators and bring the most of the enhanced features:
The control and command unit interface has also been completely revised to bring a better user experience on a 11,6 inches Full HD screen. Based on a simple and user-friendly drag and drop system similar to those used for smartphones, the user will be able to customize the screen display with different dynamic context menus corresponding to the sensors fitted. Sensors display can be managed through function groups affected.
This new interface also has the particularity to be shared with ECA GROUP's latest UGV, the IGUANA, making possible to manage both vehicles very easily from a single interface.
The UGV CAMELEON E MK3 has been supporting force protection units by providing situational awareness for over 10 years. This combat proven solution equips many armed forces worldwide and has recently been involved alongside the French Army’s Barkhane operations in Sahel. The CAMELEON UGV also equips civil protection operators, including the French and Hungarian police units.
The CAMELEON E MK3 has been widely recognized for its efficiency in regards to conducting surveillance & reconnaissance, CBRNe inspection and IED/EOD missions. This easy-to-use UGV system offers a wide range of cameras, jaws and disruptors to fit according to the mission, with a "plug and play" system allowing a very quick deployment on-field for:
From search and localization to the neutralization of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), ECA GROUP's UGVs allow to save lives and reduce human exposure to danger.
In sum, for the user, the new version of the CAMELEON E MK3 offers many advantages:
Saclay (France) – 18/09/2024 - Exail, a global high-tech company specializing in unmanned...
Read MoreExail Robotics Belgium is pleased to announce the order worth of nearly 60 million Euros for...
Read MoreMeet Exail at WDS on its booth #F9.3 on the French Pavilion from 4 to 8 February 2024 in in...
Read MoreExail is exhibiting at Defexpo 2024, on 15 March 2024, in Ahmedabad, India.
Read MoreExail is exhibiting at Sea Air Space 2024, from 08 to 10 April 2024, in Maryland, US.
Read MoreExail is exhibiting at CANSEC 2024, from 29 to 30 May 2024 in Ottawa, Canada.
Read MoreExail is exhibiting at Eurosatory, from 17 to 21 June 2024, in Paris, France.
Read MoreExail is exhibiting at Subcon, from 23 to 24 August 2024, in Ballerup, Danemark.
Read MoreExail is exhibiting at DWT, from 23 to 25 September 2024, in Germany.
Read MoreExail will be exhibiting at UMEX 2024, from January 23-25, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, EAU.
Read More