The European Land Robot Trial

26 May 2022 LTC Damian Piorko (POL), Head of EOD Technologies Department, visited Eggendorf, Austria where several teams from various countries test their robots at The European Land Robot Trial (ELROB). The visit was to tighten the cooperation with the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) from the USA. 

LTC Piorko is a member of SCI-342 NATO group, which is concentrated on developing robot telemanipulation and the presence of representatives of NIST during the ELROB was an excellent opportunity to meet each other. NIST is a member of SCI-342 as well. During the meeting, Mr Paul Haus (NIST) presented his role at ELROB and the testing equipment he provided for competing teams. It was tremendously beneficial to see how the drones and the remotely operated vehicles can be tested and the pilots’/operators’ competencies can be proven in action. The set of tests provided by NIST proves that any procurement entity should consider confronting the theory with the practice and not rely only on the company’s claims touting its product. 

The director of the EOD COE COL Robert Csaszar would like to thank LTC Josef BUGELNIG from the Austrian Defence Forces for the invitation.

Text: LTC Damian PIORKO

Photo: LTC Damian PIORKO