Facts for Kids

VIPeR is a small military robot. It helps soldiers see and explore places that are too dangerous for people to go. Soldiers can send it ahead to check stairs, rubble, or narrow tunnels. Because it is tiny and light, it fits inside a backpack.

VIPeR is small enough to fit in a backpack. It weighs about 11 kilograms, so one soldier can carry it along with other gear. Being this light makes it easy to take wherever the team needs to go.

The VIPeR robot showed its skills at a big show called the Modern Day Marine Conference. It happened in Quantico, Virginia. Engineers from Elbit Systems of America brought VIPeR to test how well it could move in tricky places.

Because the course had many challenges, VIPeR proved to be one of the best robots. It rolled over stairs, through a tunnel, and across sand and gravel. VIPeR also climbed over brush, debris, and speed bumps. These tests helped show that VIPeR can help in rough spots where people might not want to go.

A long tail helps VIPeR stay upright. The tail swings around to keep the robot from falling over. It also lets VIPeR climb stairs and get back on its wheels if it tips. This tail is very useful in cities and tunnels where the ground is uneven.

VIPeR rolls on special wheels that can change shape. These Galileo Wheels turn from round wheels into tracks. When the ground is flat, they stay round for fast rolling. When the ground gets rough or full of rocks, they flatten into tracks that grip better.