Marathon Robotics (T/A Marathon Targets)
Traditional live-fire weapons training simulations using pop-up or rail-based targets are limited in their effectiveness due to their targets always appearing in the same locations.
The Rover system from Marathon Robotics overcomes this limitation through use of programmable autonomous wheeled robots that can perform a range of actions to simulate the behaviour of human targets.
Because the robots are programmable, they do not rely on an operator to be controlling them during training, so multiple targets can be programmed to interoperate together during a scenario. Marathon has developed a sophisticated programming interface and tracking system for creating and monitoring complex training scenarios.
Rover can be programmed to simulate a range of real-world scenarios, such as guard duty, meetings, or loitering, or to behave unpredictably. Targets can move in and out of buildings, and can be programmed to respond when encountering live fire or when another target has been hit.
Based on a two-wheel transport system, Rover can move at speeds equivalent to a running human. The robots use a range of sensors to understand and respond to their environment, and are also bulletproof.
The robots are easily transportable, and can be used in a wide range of real-world settings without the need to install expensive rail systems. Rover’s ability to move unpredictably adds an element of uncertainty for a trainee that is not possible with other systems targets.
The Rover system has been selected to take part in the Foreign Comparative Testing program with the US Marine Corps, and has received interest from numerous countries.