Harris showcases its T7 EOD robot, designed to disarm improvised explosive devices (IED), at Xponential by AUVSI in Dallas, TX, this year.

Operating the arm is very easy, as the controller looks like the back end of a gun making it easy to hold, and is hooked to sensors that transfer information to the robotic arm on the T7. This key feature is integrated haptic sensing technology, which enables the operator to feel the same forces as if they were actually grabbing an object. Each finger of the T7’s claw is fitted with sensors to measure forces such as grip or when the claw encounters an immovable obstacle. Those measurements are transmitted back to the haptic controller allowing the operator to feel the same forces in the pistol grip controller as if they were grabbing and moving an object. Cameras on the controller increase the accuracy from a broad range to an overhead, up-close range.

According to Harris, the production line is open, with the UK MoD having already tested it and other countries being very interested.