Foster-Miller, part of the QinetiQ North America Technology Solutions Group (TSG) has, in conjunction with Applied Perception and Dumur Industries, added several features and capabilities to the TAGS-CX platform. The last vehicle developed and built for the US Army is named TAGS-CX-2, and includes a front-mounted engineering tool match-plate, which comprises standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces to which the user can mount any number of Bobcat’s various tool attachments (there are close to 100 tools attachments available from Bobcat, plus additional aftermarket tools). Of note, the TAGS-CX team has integrated a forklift, a large manipulator arm with a bucket (digger), grappler and thumb, and a large trench-digger attachment, all of which are controlled by the TAGS-CX JAUS (Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems)-based control software.

Other core system improvements added to the TAGS-CX-2 platform include a revised wiring harness (mil-spec), sealed and environmentally protected electronics enclosures, improved rear marsupial bay ramp, dual front-mounted LiDAR sensors, central locking system, military light kit, and wider tracks. In addition to these electrical/mechanical and sensor features, the autonomy software developed by Applied Perception for the CX-2 has enhanced capabilities such as waypoint navigation, guarded tele-op (obstacle avoidance), and intruder detection/anti-tamper (using 10 perimeter radars and cameras).

The Tool Carrier design uses modified COTS hardware from Bobcat, in particular the front-mounted arm from the ToolcatTM 5600 utility vehicle, the Bob-TachTM universal attachment interface and the Bob-TachTM Backhoe, to form a versatile and capable manipulator arm for the TAGS-CX. Primarily, this will be for use in decontamination and chemical demilitarization missions and for heavy duty material handling such as to search for, uncover and further manipulate IEDs and large items inside which an IED may be hidden (e.g. a 55-gallon oil drum). Currently, no COTS equipment exists that can perform this dangerous and life-threatening task, and thus it is often left to soldiers to take a closer look when their smaller tactical robots cannot perform the task at hand.

Several concepts of operation are directly enabled with the Tool Carrier and manipulator arm:

Robotic Vehicular Decontamination & Chemical Demilitarization: by adding a water kit and sprayer/brush assembly onto the arm; nominal reach capability to top of a Humvee.
Heavy Material Handling: with utility grapple capable of lifting a 55-gallon drum at full extension.
Ground Sweep: with sweeper & gutter brush w/water kit for dust control; capable of cleaning gutters alongside road (NOTE: does not utilize manipulator arm, but uses another modified COTS Bobcat attachment directly, the Sweeper w/Gutter Brush and Quick-TachTM Water Kit w/Spray Nozzle).

A Smart Mission Payload (SMIP) integration concept is used where the number of mechanical, hydraulic and electrical connections between the core vehicle and its payloads is minimized for ease of use and reliability reasons. Additionally, the SMIP concept provides a straightforward interface for numerous Bobcat tools and attachments like the Sweeper w/Gutter Brush and Quick-TachTM Water Kit w/Spray Nozzle for cleaning applications.