Marines field autonomous support vehicles based on winning robot design (video)
![](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/GXdn5QkVElLONiX889PHBg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYzMA--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/1zzPQlm_g5Bz4NjdGYNIrg--~B/aD0zOTQ7dz02MDA7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/07/7-10-10-guss600.jpg)
Since their third-place finish in the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge, TORC Technology's had quite a climb -- the company founded by Virginia Tech graduates has since provided IED-scouting Humvee kits to the US Military, and a vehicle for the blind uses the drive-by-wire platform that they designed. Now, the Marines are testing a TORC kit called the Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate (GUSS), which autonomously navigate off-road terrain. Designed to accompany ground troops, the four prototypes only move at 5 MPH, but carry up to 1800 pounds, and can automatically follow troops (or other GUSS) at a distance while shouldering their loads. A one pound transmitter -- the WaySight -- can show the GUSS where to go, or optionally enable direct control for soldiers who prefer things the old-fashioned way. Personally, we love the smell of autonomy in the morning, don't you? See it in action after the break.