Project ROBORTCH 2020

IRTC is working on additional robotics capability based on the RT 240 Version 4 platform. IRTC has partnered with the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA to conduct a Concept Analysis of the benefits and feasibility of applying autonomy and robotics to the current generation of the RT 240 RTCH.

The RT 240 V4 platform has a state-of-the-art electronic control system that IRTC is leveraging for semi-autonomous and autonomous capabilities, including remote teleoperation, operator assist, and full autonomous capabilities (RoboRTCH).

RoboRTCH has the potential to transform in-field container handling in rough terrain by making it faster and safer, and in the process also enable new capabilities such as container location tracking. What started as a program centered on providing greater operator assistance to improve performance is just “opening the door” to a new paradigm shifting RTCH that can significantly change DoD Logistics.

IRTC and NREC anticipate a technical concept and recommendation in Summer 2020 and looks forward to further customer engagement on the benefits of RoboRTCH.