Baesystems -- Engadget

baesystems posts

Purdue researchers concoct new invisibility cloak, plan Walmart debut

by Darren Murph, posted May 22nd 2009 at 9:21AM

Hate to say it, but we're beyond the point of hope here. We just won't ever, ever see a real-deal invisibility cloak during our relatively brief stint on Earth. That said, researchers at Purdue University are doing their best to prove us wrong, recently developing a new approach to cloaking that is supposedly "simple to manufacture." Unlike traditional invisibility cloaks, which rely on exotic metamaterials that demand complex nanofabrication, this version utilizes a far simpler design based on a tapered optical waveguide. A report from the institution asserts that the team was able to "cloak an area 100 times larger than the wavelengths of light shined by a laser into the device," but for obvious reasons, it's impossible to actually show us it happened. Regardless, for the sake of the kiddos above, we're hoping this stuff gets commercialized, and soon.

[Via Digg, Image courtesy of Thomas Ricker (yes, that Thomas Ricker)]

Continue reading Purdue researchers concoct new invisibility cloak, plan Walmart debut

British border guards recruit robots to root out stowaways

by Donald Melanson, posted Jul 22nd 2008 at 4:28PM

It looks like attempts to sneak across the border into Britain could soon become a battle of humans versus the machines, as the country's border guards have now recruited some robots normally used in warzones to help root out folks trying to smuggle themselves into the country. Developed by BAE Systems, the so-called "Hero" bots are equipped with searchlights and high-resolution video cameras that let it search the inside and undersides of vehicles, and they could potentially be outfitted with heartbeat detectors as well, or even sensors to detect chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials being smuggled into the country. While it's apparently only been tested in one location so far, the Border Agency seems to be all but sold on the bot, and it's now looking at rolling 'em out to other locations in the country. No word if they have any plans to employ BAE's spider bots, though.

[Via Danger Room, image courtesy of BAE Systems]

Bug-bot video reveals swarming drones, extreme rocking

by Joshua Topolsky, posted May 4th 2008 at 1:24PM

We know that you love swarming bug-bots as much as we do, so of course we were thrilled to tell you about BAE Systems' MAST project the other day. Luckily, the Army-contracted company didn't stop at mere photos to scare the living daylights out of humanity, they also created a really cheesy, yet deeply frightening video to go along with them. Enjoy a glimpse of the Skynet-controlled / shredding-guitar future of warfare after the break -- and don't say we didn't warn you.

Continue reading Bug-bot video reveals swarming drones, extreme rocking

BAE Systems working on spider-bots, other ways to scare you to death

by Joshua Topolsky, posted May 1st 2008 at 8:59AM

Do you enjoy gangs of tiny, spider-like robot insectoids swarming all over your house, car, or personage? If you answered "yes," you're going to love what BAE Systems is cooking up. The company recently received an infusion of $38 million from the US Army Research Lab to fund the Micro Autonomous Systems and Technology (MAST) consortium; a team of scientists and researchers hell-bent on developing an "autonomous, multifunctional collection of miniature intelligence-gathering robots that can operate in places too inaccessible or dangerous for humans." Sure, that description (and accompanying photos, straight from BAE) does give you the impression that whoever came up with this really liked Minority Report, but won't it make you feel safer at night knowing a swarm of metallic spiders are looking out for you? No? Huh, weird.

[Via The Register]

Talisman M UUV is a mine killer

by Evan Blass, posted Mar 29th 2007 at 1:01PM

From robots working in deep space to unmanned underwater vehicles patrolling the deep blue sea: military and aerospace contractor BAE Systems has just announced its latest aquatic bot, the Talisman M, which is capable of locating and killing mines without any operator intervention. The size of a small car, Talisman can operate at depths as low as 150 meters and turn a full 360 degrees thanks to its vectorable thrust pods; although it can be controlled from on board a ship, the M is just as happy wandering around on its own and bringing the pain with its so-called 'Archerfish Single Shot Mine Neutraliser.' Best of all, the British-based BAE engineers have added a little something extra in light of current events: the task-minded UUV will emit a heartfelt apology if it's ever caught encroaching on sovereign Iranian waters.

[Via The Register]

Researchers develop sticky gecko-like material

by Donald Melanson, posted Jul 26th 2006 at 4:22PM

Researchers at BAE Systems' Advanced Technology Centre in Bristol seem to have take a cue from Q's play book, developing a new synthetic material that could be used to create special wall-climbing suits for soldiers and spies. The material is designed to mimic a gecko's foot, which is covered with hairs so small that they form a bond with just about anything they touch, but can still be easily peeled off. In addition to human super-hero antics, the researchers say the material could also be used for wall-climbing robots. But the Brits aren't the only geeks that have turned to geckos for inspiration. As you may remember, some peeps at Stanford recently managed to not only replicate a gecko's sticky feet, but create a full-fledged geckobot.