Polish Robots for the Army of South Korea

Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements is a supplier of mobile bomb disposal robots for the Korean Navy, Air Force and Army. The contract, within which the delivery is going to be realized in February this year, is related to GRYF robots, the purpose of which is to carry out reconnaissance of restricted areas and locations that are hard to be accessed.

GRYF robots are equipped with a manipulator with five degrees of freedom, with an option of closing the gripping jaws, allowing the robot to carry objects with a mass of up to 15 kilograms. The wheels are detachable, which allows the robot to carry out operations in narrow spaces, while the applied propulsion system makes it possible to effectively go over the uneven terrain and obstacles, with a slope angle of up to 45 degrees. The robot has very good manoeuvrability properties. Moreover, it is very light, which facilitates transport of the system. The device is also modular, which means that there is an option of carrying out quick reconfiguration, fitting the robot with additional equipment including shotgun, X-ray device, explosives fumes sensor, optical-fibre drum, and a bus, used to remotely detonate the explosives.

The Koreans will receive a version which has been additionally modified. The customization was realized through fitting the GRYF robots with a tool bank installed on a mobile platform (including electrical wire cutters and a glass pane breaker) and by application of a double pyrotechnic disrupter (making it possible for shooting the suspected object twice, without the need of reloading). The robot has also been fitted with new, more efficient engines, thanks to which it is capable of reaching speeds of up to 10 kilometres per hour.

Moreover, the Korean variant also has an option of visualizing the position of the manipulator on the control panel, thus its movement may be assessed even when the robot is beyond the operator’s line of sight. The control panel allows the operator to use the image coming from four cameras at the same time.

The Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements (PIAP) is a facility dealing with robotics, automation and measurements. It has been established in 1965, in Warsaw. More than 300 experts work at the HQ of the facility in the capital city of Poland. They are carrying out high-tech R&D works in interdisciplinary teams.

PIAP is also the first manufacturer in Poland, who is carrying out production of mobile special robots, with a particular focus given to the needs and requirements of the counter-terrorists and bomb disposal units. Products manufactured by the Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements are used in several countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.

The institute has been awarded in the area of innovation, and it has received awards such as “Polski Produkt Przyszłości” (Polish Product of the Future), Defender, and it was nominated to receive the Polish President’s Economic Awards. Finally, the centre also received medals at the international innovation expos is Brussels, China or Moscow.