Problem:
The new generation of "smart weapons" includes intelligent robotics systems. To be effective, weapons of this type must be able to navigate in the field, communicate with other robots, update the command center and leverage machine vision and acoustic sensor technologies. They must provide maximum functionality in a very small space, consume low power, be low cost, and offer high maneuverability and reliability.

Solution:
With these parameters in mind, we developed distributed, multiple embedded microprocessor systems dedicated to each of the core subsystems, which included navigation, motion control, vision, sonar, acoustic and communications. In addition, we designed real-time operating systems for TMS32020 DSPs, Zoran Vector Processors, 68020 processors, as well as a custom array processor. Finally, we created a PC-based Command Center with a rich, graphical interface which is used to coordinate the field robots, load the terrain maps, and display sensor information.