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Last update - 22:17 28/04/2008 Four wheels and an electronic brain: Meet IDF's newest soldier By The Associated Press Advertisement Following pre-programmed routes, it can navigate alone through cities - the vehicle knows how to deal with intersections, traffic and road markings. It can patrol borders, its cameras scanning 360 degrees at all times, and alert operators if it spots anything suspicious. The Guardium never mentally wanders or falls asleep, as soldiers have been known to do during mind-numbing guard or patrol missions. And it doesn't have a family that will miss it when it's away on reserve duty. "Representatives of armies with troops who are taking high casualties in asymmetric warfare, from threats like roadside bombs, get excited about this product," said Erez Peled, director general of G-Nius Unmanned Ground Systems, the company that developed the robot. The control panel includes two large screens and a joystick. If the operator wants to take control, he can do so from a steering wheel and gas and brake pedals that lend the console the look of a video arcade game. "Any kid who grew up with a PlayStation will be able to come in here and learn this in seconds," Peled said. A vehicle alone costs approximately $600,000 (385,000 euros). With the operating system, the price runs to several million dollars, depending on what equipment is installed on the robot. The Israeli military said the Guardium has yet to enter operational service, and would provide no further comment. John Pike, director of the Virginia-based military think tank Globalsecurity.org, said there is only one other similar vehicle operational - a South Korean robot used to patrol the demilitarized zone with North Korea. With the details of the Korean vehicle classified, Pike could not say which was more advanced. "Robots like this are potentially the future of ground warfare," Pike said. "A robot does what it's told, and you'll be able to get them to advance in ways it's hard to get human soldiers to do. They don't have fear, and they kill without compunction." "But more importantly," he added, "A robot means you don't have to write a condolence letter." Related articles: Israeli scientists unveil mini-robot that can travel through bloodstream Haaretz.com TV: IDF to use unmanned jeeps in conflict with Gaza militants The Animal takes on the Hoover Bookmark to del.icio.us   Deterring Tehran Bush: Disclosure of IAF strike on Syria sends a message to Iran. A lesser evil In Haaretz issue from 1932, Hitler makes a better impression than expected.   1.   I visualiz the Arabs lynching them and rubbing their hands in oil 23:07  |  Murray the Mongoose 28/04/08   2.   Congratulations 23:14  |  KUTW 28/04/08   3.   What happens when it needs "gas" ? 23:56  |  Stephen. 28/04/08   4.   Welcome to Gaza/WestBank Testing Fields 00:16  |  Mary 29/04/08   5.   MARY .A sucide bomber will get NO satisfaction blowing it up 02:26  |  PETER SM 29/04/08   6.   Nice! 03:44  |  Paul 29/04/08   7.   Sky Net 04:11  |  Mikey 29/04/08   8.   Re;Mary # 2 04:29  |  e.m 29/04/08   9.   Re:Mary# 2 04:30  |  e.m.Jordan is Palest 29/04/08   10.   One problem... 04:34  |  Akiva P 29/04/08   11.   Send It In With A Kaffiyeh On A Duvdevan Mission 04:45  |  Lavi 29/04/08   12.   The IRF (Israel Robotic Force) Joins The Honored Ranks Of The IDF 04:46  |  Lavi 29/04/08   13.   HEY MARY #2, YOUR HATRED OF ISRAEL AND JEWS SHOWS 05:06  |  Jorge 29/04/08   14.   Keeps on keeping . . . 05:18  |  Lucien 29/04/08   15.   Guardian may not sleep BUT Operator Will Fall Asleep 07:17  |  The Archives 29/04/08   16.   Several months ago the american military in Iraq was 07:27  |  Kris Lazar 29/04/08   17.   I pity the Jihadist Martyrs, they won`t get the 70 virgins 08:13  |  Robot 29/04/08   18.   Modern age device - Great Asset for thd IDF 08:43  |  * BEN JABO 29/04/08   19.   #4 Mary - Boston 08:44  |  * BEN JABO 29/04/08   20.   Bringing the world a deeper form of misery. 10:12  |  Che Vive 29/04/08   21.   Che Vive 17:28  |  * BEN JABO 29/04/08   22.   #12 Lavi - the way to go- SILLY VAIN NOTE 17:31  |  * BEN JABO 29/04/08   23.   "kills without compunction"? 17:44  |  Smith 29/04/08   24.   Agree with Che Vive 01:07  |  Michael 30/04/08   25.   #24 Michael SC 02:59  |  * BEN JABO 30/04/08   26.   Meet Iran`s newest soldier 07:00  |  Aounist 30/04/08   27.   #23 Smith & #24 Michael 10:39  |  MR 30/04/08   28.   #1 Murray the Mongoose 10:55  |  MR 30/04/08   29.   Good idea 11:25  |  Johanna 30/04/08

Read & React Y. Sheleg: Lessons of the Holocaust prove fundamentalist Islam must not be appeased Responses: 21 Top Syrian emissary: We won't sever ties with Iran for peace with Israel Responses: 83 Nadav Shragai: New E. J'lem Jewish areas the best news we've heard in a long time Responses: 6 Uzi Benziman: Israel mustn't jump to blame enemy for tragedies like Gaza deaths Responses: 15 Rosner's Domain Is Israel finished? five questions Ziad Asali: deal with Hamas would hurt the moderates Poll: truce with Hamas, good or bad? Wright, the race issue won't leave Obama alone Is suicide bombing rational? (WTR) More Headlines 09:46 Top Syrian emissary: We won't sever ties with Iran for peace with Israel 10:30 Gaza militants fire 7 Qassams at Negev, continuing barrage 02:50 Israel objects to outline of Gaza cease-fire deal 07:48 Disgruntled Palestinian ex-employee may have carried out deadly Nitzanei Oz shooting 10:57 Concentration camp doctor Aribert Heim tops list of most wanted Nazis 10:10 IDF shuts down Hamas-affiliated offices in West Bank 04:59 Jewish partisans remembered; their story to hit the big screen later this year 07:44 Nadine Gordimer defends decision to attend J'lem writers conference 10:53 Israeli-Palestinian paper criticizes 10 W. Bank roadblocks 10:18 Police to up activity against places of entertainment open on Holocaust Day 03:51 ANALYSIS: Livni and Aboul Gheit starting to sing harmonious duet 02:39 U.S. Jewish leaders call for boycott of Beijing Olympics 06:09 Senior Laborite: Barak acts like a bull in a china shop Previous Editions Select Day 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr 21 apr 20 apr 18 apr 17 apr 16 apr

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