Autonomous Solutions announced that its Chaos small robot will be profiled in a series of exercises at Cobra Gold 2009 in Thailand. The Chaos unit that will be at Cobra Gold was built by ASI for the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), which has made it available for the exercise.

The Chaos robot will be operated by Marines in a series of scenarios in which robotic assistance will be beneficial. Engineers from ASI will be on-hand to provide support and receive feedback on the Chaos platform from operators.

Examples of these scenarios include route security, cordon and search, casualty extraction and logistical supply.

The Chaos robotic platform is designed to remotely access hazardous areas previously accessible only by foot, thereby reducing risk to personnel.

It is able to navigate over extremely rough, steep, and loose terrain with four independent drive tracks that can continuously change orientation a full 360 degrees.

The unique ability to alter its pitch, roll and yaw enables the Chaos platform to navigate surfaces too uneven for other tracked platforms.

With a high payload capacity and an available manipulator arm with a fifty pound capacity at full reach (72 in), Chaos can perform a variety of functions. Its base weight is low enough that it can be lifted out of a vehicle and deployed by two people.

As a JAUS-compatible platform, the Chaos robot also allows easy addition of a wide variety of sensors and other robotic payloads. Its simple, modular design affords easy field service, maintenance, and repair.

Cobra Gold involves the United States, Thai, Singaporean, Japanese and Indonesian militaries and is meant to improve interoperability, enhance security relationships, and demonstrate U.S. support for humanitarian and security interests in the Pacific.