General

M-ELROB Unmanned systems are facing the user German Army and Directorate General of Armament will organize again a European Land-Robot Trial. ELROB 2008 will take place from 30th of June to 3rd of July at Infantry School (Hammelburg/Germany).

Servicemen and –women of the Bundeswehr are targets of ambushes and attacks while on mission abroad. Opposing Forces are not seeking a decisive military victory on the battlefield but trying to erode the political firmness of the parliament and demoralize the German population’s will to support Germany’s commitment for global security. The protection of German soldiers against death and injury enables the completion of military orders and ensures political freedom of action. By definition, unmanned robot systems provide maximum protection for soldiers, because they are no longer exposed to the threat.

ELROB 2008 focuses on the question, if robot systems can support soldiers effectively in the near future. The purpose of the trial is to identify such robotic systems, which are able to master daily military tasks. Four scenarios are the test bed for this. The Organizers` aim is to gain insights for future armament projects and Research & Technology activities.

Developers of robotic systems are asked to illustrate the performance of their systems at ELROB 2008. A comprehensive fair provides more insights in other aspects of robot systems.

Representatives of German Armed Forces and allied/friendly armed forces, police and other security agency will attend.

The proven philosophy of ELROB will continue in 2008:

• ELROB is conducted with a focus on short-term realisable robot systems!

• ELROB is explicitly designed to assess current technology to solve real world problems at hand!

• ELROB in addition is an opportunity to bring together users, researchers and industry to build a community!