2023 National Robot Rodeo Details

Scenarios

Participants will have an opportunity to utilize various robotics technology in a myriad of complex urban scenarios designed to replicate commonly encountered threats across the nation. This includes the following:

• IED and VBIED Disablement
• CONOPS – Joint (DoD – Public Safety) Event
• TTPs – Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures
• Transportation – Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Events

The Eastern National Robot Rodeo is a multi-day, multi- event technical competition. Potential scenarios and demonstrations:
• Vehicle-Borne IED
• Robot Mounted X-Ray Systems
• Multi-Robot Operations
• Clandestine Lab
• Zero Visibility Operations
• Disruptor Operations
• Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS)
• Counter UAS
• CBRN Response
• Autonomous Navigation
• Subway/Tunnel Operations (Subterranean)

About the event

The use of advanced robotics in public safety and military bomb squad communities has grown significantly over the past few decades. As technology increases, bomb technicians need to better understand capabilities and limitations of these systems in order to align industry research and development (R&D) with needs of responders based on real world applications. The NRR brings together experienced operators from military and public safety bomb squads to evaluate new and emerging robotic capabilities in real world operating environments. In partnership, the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC); the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Office for Bombing Prevention (DHS CISA OBP); the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD), Sandia National Laboratory (SNL), and the United Kingdom Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (UK-Dstl) is sponsoring the 7th annual NRR. The event is hosted at the Harris County Fire Marshall’s Office, near Houston, Texas with support of the United States Bomb Technicians Association (USBTA).

The NRR exposes active members of military and public safety bomb squads to new products and technology, while providing real-time feedback (i.e., as part of an Operational Evaluation) to event facilitators sponsors and supporting vendors. Captain Eric Correll, NSWC IHD Commanding Officer, “While all EOD operators and bomb technicians who attended this event took part in some well-deserved competition and camaraderie, the experience and lessons learned from all involved primes EOD and bomb technician training and technology for the future. Events such as the NRR combine the operator with the latest in EOD technology, creating user feedback and data collection that readies all partners for real-world and future EOD scenarios.” This multi-agency event provides opportunities for participants to network with other bomb technicians and exchange information on tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Benefits of participating in the 2023 NRR

Exposure to new and emerging robotics technologies

Challenging operational environments

Vendor engagement – direct feedback from teams and sponsors

Identification of new technology requirements/needs

Enables early development of training techniques when using new technologies

Modeled after real-world events and scenarios

Allows teams to push capability boundaries

Identification of robotic capability shortfalls

Provides networking opportunities

Presented by

U.S. Air Force

 

dstl

 

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency

 

NAVSEA

 

stackedblubird

Sandia National Laboratories

 

usbta south carolina web-91

Events

  • Vehicle-Borne IED
  • Robot Mounted X-Ray Systems
  • Multi-Robot Operations
  • Clandestine Lab
  • Zero Visibility Operations
  • Disruptor Operations
  • Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS)
  • Heavy, Medium and Light EOD Robots
  • CBRN Response
  • Autonomous Navigation
  • Subway/Tunnel Operations (Subterranean)

Event Venue

Humble, Texas

usbta south carolina web-215

“The ENRR and CAPEX event enables Dstl and UK MOD to observe, ‘test drive’ and understand the utility of the latest EOD robotic technologies in real world scenarios and challenging environments. In addition, user feedback helps identify technology shortfalls supports future requirements development & where to focus research effort to fast track capability to front line commands.”

Ian Summerhayes

Dstl, EOD Robotics & Autonomous Systems (RAS) Technical Lead,

“The opportunity to bring military EOD and public safety bomb technicians into a combined training event is crucial to generating innovation and development of new technology within the robot manufacturing community.”

MSgt Justin Frewin
USAF EOD Equipment PM

Registration is Now Live