Development of an EOD Robot for the Arequipa Explosive Disposal Unit

Abstract

The JVC 0.2 is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robot with tracks, a 5 Degrees of Freedom (DOF) arm, and a two-finger gripper developed by the National University of San Agustin (UNSA) and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit of the Police of Arequipa (UDEX) in response to the technical needs of adequate weight for manual transport in compliance with the law 29,088 in force in Peru, urban multi-terrain locomotion skills, robotic arm control and handling of explosive objects with sizes and weights registered in the UDEX database. The objective of this document is to develop and test the robot for maneuverability, locomotion, and arm strength based on National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards adapted to the needs of UDEX to safeguard the lives of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialists (TEDAX). The test procedures were carried out to evaluate the robot’s capabilities in terms of maneuverability and were designed to time the transport of objects simulating explosives at different inclinations to a container. The tests showed us that the actuation time of the robotic arm was improved, that it can climb stairs with a maximum inclination of 20°, that the locomotion speed measured on flat ground was 10.94 cm/s and that the load capacity at the extended arm is 9 kg. Finally, we conclude that it is necessary to update the design of the robot to reduce the weight to meet the safety standards at work, increase the load capacity up to 10 Kg, and improve mobility; so that, it becomes of daily use by the TEDAX.