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drquaithe t1_iz51abd wrote

50 million sounds low for that, unless they're just doing R&D and no production.

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Sauronsbigmetalclock t1_iz53q1p wrote

I believe they already have the tech for the automated driving as well as remote controlled turrets. They could have the contract to apply the tech to current military vehicles?

I remember seeing automated military trucks driving on a top gear episode a few years back, if you’re interested let me know and I’ll see if I can find it. It did surprisingly well and even beat the human drivers in a race.

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Tony2Punch t1_iz64cs7 wrote

They have already pretty much made the future tech they advertised had failed in the 90s. Connecting the tanks together with wireless connections, smart ammo that is able to redirect itself while flying through the air at top speed. Creating a ultra precise weapon system, electronic capabilities that allow for a manned crew to be much safer. On the horizon it is fully autonomous systems with quick response repair experts guarded and on standby.

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DarthMeow504 t1_iz6nujf wrote

Yeah, but no matter how advanced the tech gets it still won't be able to kill John and Sarah Connor.

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Test19s t1_iz9aag7 wrote

Because that’s Transformers tech, not Terminator tech.

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AntiGravityBacon t1_iz5wubf wrote

It's definitely R&D but that's generally how big acquisition programs start. Either straight R&D or just a few articles for testing.

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Itallianstallians t1_iz77az0 wrote

That is what it is. Technology maturation. They will do this until the technology catches up to their requirements. That is when you hear about the real big contract dollars.

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Gari_305 OP t1_iz4wchq wrote

From the Article

>Self-driving truck startup Kodiak Robotics said Tuesday that it won a two-year, $49.9 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to help develop automated combat vehicles for the U.S. Army.
>
>The company said the vehicles will be tailored for reconnaissance, surveillance and other missions that would present a high risk to a human driver.

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Snakeprincess69 t1_iz63b8n wrote

> The company said the vehicles will be tailored for reconnaissance, surveillance and other missions that would present a high risk to a human driver.

So use a drone...

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rpl755871 t1_iz732hd wrote

Isn’t a drone just a driverless vehicle? That’s what this is no? If you mean an aerial drone, well, they’ve been doing that. But sometimes there is poor visibility because of weather, tree cover, etc…

Also, drones are limited in there payload in ways that a tank or recon vehicle may not be.

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Snakeprincess69 t1_iz7muhr wrote

They're flown by a human afaik. I suppose those are some valid use cases, but being autonomous isn't adding a lot there. You could just operate them remotely like the drones. Autonomous cars don't even work on regular roads. Surely a human is monitoring the video footage in real time regardless.

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Polend2030 t1_iz5834a wrote

I wonder if in near future there will be ecofriendly electric self-driving tanks

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EmeraldV t1_iz5f2ld wrote

And artillery rounds filled with native seeds

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Just_trying_it_out t1_iz72mvs wrote

Going from ancient armies supposedly salting conquered areas to a future of bombing and immediately reseeding native vegetation on the ruins is the epitome of progress

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xvx_k1r1t0_xvxkillme t1_iz5lnll wrote

I vaguely remember hearing that the leading candidate for the next US tank is a hybrid. Not even a joke, Diesel-Electric drive provides instantaneous torque benefits over straight diesel. Add in the potential benefits of being able to power electronics or go short distances without the noise of an engine compromising stealth and it's a very real benefit.

Edit: Found an article for anyone interested.

>The AbramsX replaces the M1's efficient but notoriously fuel-guzzling AGT 1500 gas-turbine engine with a hybrid-electric engine more reminiscent of a Toyota Prius than conventional tank power plants.

>General Dynamics claims the new engine slashes fuel consumption by 50%, improves reliability and ease of maintenance, and allow the tank to operate its electronics — and even perform some limited movement — using quieter battery power.

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__Osiris__ t1_iz80bg6 wrote

Last week the revolution started with the first trucks being delivered to Pepsi.

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echochambers_suck t1_iz57y2w wrote

KITT vs Goliath coming soon. If you don't know...you aren't old Jack.

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TechnicianExtreme200 t1_iz5cs6v wrote

Smart move. Self driving companies are losing investors and going out of business, but military is the one funding source that won't dry up in a high inflation economy.

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FuturologyBot t1_iz50bn9 wrote

The following submission statement was provided by /u/Gari_305:

From the Article

>Self-driving truck startup Kodiak Robotics said Tuesday that it won a two-year, $49.9 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to help develop automated combat vehicles for the U.S. Army.
>
>The company said the vehicles will be tailored for reconnaissance, surveillance and other missions that would present a high risk to a human driver.

Please reply to OP's comment here: https://old.reddit.com/r/Futurology/comments/ze8dv2/selfdriving_truck_startup_kodiak_robotics_wins_50/iz4wchq/

1

Sauronsbigmetalclock t1_iz53lqi wrote

I believe they already have the tech for the automated driving as well as remote controlled turrets. They could have the contract to apply the tech to current military vehicles?

I remember seeing automated military trucks driving on a top gear episode a few years back, if you’re interested let me know and I’ll see if I can find it. It did surprisingly well and even beat the human drivers in a race.

1

Hades_adhbik t1_iz62yqx wrote

forget land vehicles, all you'll ever need for any conflict is stealth drones. Skip straight to air. Amazon drone delivery system doubles as surveillence, and patrol. NATO will need to rack up on drones if it wants to remain the superpower.

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Snakeprincess69 t1_iz631jf wrote

Another 50m lit on fire from the defense budget. lol

I am sure this startup nobody can do what google and numerous other mega corporations has failed to do for 2 decades!

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Wellpow t1_iz558su wrote

F. First half of the title is very positive. Then the army came in

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mangoo6969 t1_iz5b1v9 wrote

lots of inovation stems from the militaries of the world

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Wellpow t1_iz975tu wrote

Yes. Unfortunately better methods to kill people seems like a great motivator for governments and innovators that alternatives.

Human nature is weird

1