Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/739629
PIAP FenIx On 18 May 2016, the Armaments Inspectorate (Polish MoD institution re- sponsible for weapon systems purchases) informed on signing a contract with PIAP for the supply of 53 engineering robots for EOD/IED support code- named "BALSA – light unmanned ground vehicle (UGV)". According to the contract, BALSA UGV will be 15-20kg robot carried by one soldier. It will also have the ability to cross difficult terrain, work inside buildings, and will be able to check places that are below the level on which the robot is standing (e.g. road culverts). PIAP intends to provide the armed forces BALSA UGVs that will be based around the PIAP Fenix robot. Such a modified Fenix (but still not in the con - figuration that will be used for BALSA UGV) was present at MSPO 2016 in the booth of PIAP. PIAP Fenix has been designed as a small reconnaissance robot and to be easily carried by single soldier. That forced the designers to remove some weight of the robot, which, still, could not negatively impact the functions of the device nor its ability to overcome obstacles. As a result, we have a robot that is lightweight (i15 kg without the manipulator and 20 kg with the manipulator), relatively small (60x50x19 cm), and, at the same time, offers a variety of possibilities within the scope of reconnaissance missions. It is highly mobile – both in terms of the ability to overcome difficult terrain, but also to move fast (up to 10 km/h maximum speed). The base of PIAP Fenix consists of a carbon fiber hull, thanks to which the robot is lightweight but robust plus it has a proper firmness of construction. The hull includes a combined wheel/tracked driving system with additional front stabilizers. The robot mainly moves on four drive wheels the tires of which have an off-road tread. Auxiliary tracks have been placed between the axles of wheels, on both sides of the hull. When the robot moves on a flat sur - face, the tracks do not have contact with the ground. Their start to work when the robot drives onto difficult terrain – they significantly lower the possibility of the robot getting hanged on unevenness of the surface. Additional equip- ment includes movable front stabilizers that allow PIAP Fenix overcoming obstacles like e.g. stairs. There is also a possibility to easily remove the drive wheels and the stabilizers, and use only the tracks. The IndusTrIal research InsTITuTe for auTomaTIon and measuremenTs (PIaP) Is mosTly known for ITs roboTs of varIous sIze and PurPose, ThaT are dePloyed wITh armed and law enforcemenT forces In Poland and In The world. aT msPo 2016 Trade show, vIsITors could fInd The laTesT roboTs and develoP- menTs of PIaP, buT also become famIlIar ProjecTs ThaT are relaTed To oTher, raTher surPrIsIng, areas. By: MIchAł SItArSkI Photo: PIAP ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES