According to AFP on May 6, relying on mechanical legs, wheels or tracks, overhead antennas and cameras can overcome obstacles or avoid traps: In a military camp in Paris, the French Army is testing some robot systems, hoping to be distributed to the troops by 2040.

  Starting a few weeks ago, the French military began to organize the CoHoMa challenge project, which was to let the aircraft cooperate. The project brings together 10 teams, including military enterprises, research institutions and engineering colleges: showing how robots can help them hold their positions when the enemy attacks.

  Army Technical Director General Tony Mafeis explained that from reconnaissance drones to mine clearance, robots “are very useful for protecting our troops, but now it needs to be proven that they can improve combat efficiency when in contact with their opponents.” The biggest challenge is that "robots should promote rather than drag down combat operations."

  Advancing on rough terrain and maintaining communication with robots under interference, there are many problems: tall grass may be considered an obstacle that the robot can't pass, and water lilies in ponds may also be considered unpassable.

  "Once a robot does not have Global Positioning System (GPS), it will be very troublesome," said Baptiste LePelerge, a member of the project team.

  A team led by military-industrial giant Thales is also developing a small robot car to be able to penetrate deep into the bushes. It can release the small drone it carries, locate obstacles and indicate the way forward, before returning to the robot.

  Some of the previous achievements of the CoHoMa Challenge Project have been integrated into military equipment. "We have placed the robot system into the 'Scorpion' collaborative combat system," said Mark Deonte, director of innovation at Thales ground systems.

[Editor in charge: Wang Jinzhi]