Oxford Dynamics, based in Harwell, Oxfordshire, is developing an advanced robot called Strider to operate in hazardous environments such as chemical, biological, or nuclear incidents. The company has secured a £1 million contract with the Ministry of Defence to design and deliver this cutting-edge robot by September.
Strider is engineered to perform tasks that are too dangerous for humans, including retrieving contaminated objects and carrying out semi-autonomous operations. The robot is designed to navigate challenging terrains using advanced technology such as infra-red, radar, and lidar systems, making it highly adaptable to various scenarios, including complex situations like the Novichok attack in Salisbury.
Mike Lawton, a director at Oxford Dynamics, envisions deploying thousands of Strider robots to enhance global safety. He underscores the crucial role of using machines rather than humans in life-threatening situations. The company also plans to integrate AVIS AI software, inspired by the JARVIS system from Iron Man films, to further boost Strider’s capabilities.
Founder Shefali Sharma sees potential for adapting Strider’s technology for use in submarines and fighter jets, aiming to make these innovations available to those who need them most. The initiative has been well-received by Defra, which has noted the rapid progress from concept to a highly capable platform.
