AI-Powered Robot Dogs Tested to Find Explosive Devices

The U.K. government recently hosted a hackathon to test the use of AI-enabled robot dogs for bomb disposal tasks, reporting promising results.

Organized by the Defence AI Center (DAIC), the hackathon saw 40 programmers leveraging AI and robotics to complete several hazardous tasks that would otherwise be undertaken by Army bomb disposal experts.

Throughout the three-day event, the programmers were tasked with leveraging the robots’ existing capabilities such as navigating rough terrain, climbing stairs and avoiding obstacles, for use in life-threatening scenarios.

Working in five teams, over the first two days the programmers “developed their strategies and fine-tuned their programming,” according to a press release.

On the final day, the results of the teams’ testing was demonstrated to members of 29 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) & Search Group, which is made up of explosives experts in the U.K. 

Results of the hackathon were seemingly successful, with EOD member Chris Coles saying he “witnessed a number of things … that will absolutely facilitate research and development in the EOD&S space.”

“It has been hugely exciting to see defence, industry and academia work together on an AI and robotics solution to a real use case, particularly one that aims to increase the safety of our people,” said Rachel Singleton, DAIC’s head. “Instigating and guiding this kind of collaborative innovation safely and responsibly is among the most important work we do at the DAIC.”

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In 2021, the U.K. government selected robotics and smart machines as one of its seven strategic technologies to invest in as part of its Innovation Strategy. Under the strategy, the government said it would invest $27.5 billion each year in publicly funded research and development. 

The DAIC was established in 2021 to accelerate the use of AI for defense purposes.