A Robotics Rodeo round-up in honor of the fallen

Remember remember the fifth of November, I doubt that day shall be forgot.

For those that remember, this fifth of November shall first think of those who were lost.

Last Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan shot 13 people dead, 12 of which were soldiers, wounding 29 others during a shootout at Fort Hood Texas.

In honor of those fallen last week and to American armed-service veterans everywhere, I bring you the marvel of Fort Hood's "Robotics Rodeo" that occurred during the tail end of the summer, for Veterans Day 2009.

This is the "Ripsaw" unmanned tank, developed by identical twins Mike and Geoff Howe, 34. (MCT)

The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) and the Army's III Corps, stationed at Fort Hood, hosted the "Robotics Rodeo" demonstration and testing event from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4, 2009.

The event gravitated industry professionals, developing robots of varying technological levels and roles to be played for the military, towards Army brass and regulars, with a unique opportunity to show the Army the possibilities of robotic warfare.

Sarnoff Corp. brought this small robot with a video camera to test at the rodeo. (MCT)

The Army said the event was not a competition but rather a "marketing research event."  The event offered the military a chance to see firsthand, what technologies are available, how these technologies can work in convergence on the battle field, and most importantly how they will benefit the Army.

Now that a few months have passed since the event.  Here's a look at what the Army has done with the Ripsaw.

For an idea on how this vehicle operates and tackles terrain, check out this video of the manned version.