WFS Defense (booth 2332) has adapted its through-water wireless communication technology to allow high-bandwidth communication through soil and rock as well, potentially allowing ground robots to venture further underground for studying caves, conducting mine rescues and other uses.

The Terratext system is a long-range system that can communicate low-bandwidth data for up to 100 meters (328 feet), and the Terratooth system can transmit higher bandwidth data, such as video, for up to 10 meters. The company recently demonsrated the system using an iRobot Negotiator.

"It lets you put a vehicle in places that they can't [otherwise] go unless you have a tether," says company president and CEO William Porter.

Source: Flight Daily News