ANKARA
Turkish scientists on Monday revealed an unmanned off-road vehicle developed for tasks such as border patrols and bomb disposal.
Developed by a team at Ankara’s Middle East Technical University under Bugra Koku, the tractor-like vehicle can map its own route avoiding obstacles and is likely to see service with the Turkish armed forces.
"Our vehicle has been designed with a semi-autonomous system enabling support and decision algorithms and it can be controlled remotely and wirelessly if required,” Ilhan Konukseven, a mechanical engineering professor at the university, told Anadolu Agency.
Konukseven said the vehicle could be used in a variety of roles, including terrain mapping, bomb disposal, search and rescue, detecting and transporting toxic or dangerous substances, border monitoring and exploring inaccessible terrain.
He added: "The vehicle can make its own route by considering the environmental conditions on its way."
The vehicle is equipped with a 360-degree camera and laser sensors for 3D mapping.
