MARCbot
title: "MARCbot" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["military-robots", "unmanned-ground-vehicles", "unmanned-ground-combat-vehicles", "military-vehicles-introduced-in-the-2000s"] topic_path: "history/military" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MARCbot" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox weapon"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| is_vehicle | yes |
| name | Multi-function Agile Remote-Controlled Robot |
| origin | United States of America (United States Army Rapid Equipping Force) |
| image | MARCbot.jpg |
| image_size | 300 |
| caption | MARCbot extends its camera to search for suspected improvised explosive devices |
| type | Demolition vehicle |
| service | Iraq, Afghanistan |
| used_by | United States Army |
| design_date | 2004 |
| manufacturer | Exponent |
| number | Over 1000 |
| weight | 32 lb |
| length | 24 in |
| width | 19.5 in |
| height | 13.5 in |
| crew | One remote operator |
| vehicle_range | Up to 300 m (Line of sight), 6h on batteries |
| :: |
|is_vehicle=yes |name= Multi-function Agile Remote-Controlled Robot |origin= United States of America (United States Army Rapid Equipping Force) | image = MARCbot.jpg | image_size = 300 |caption= MARCbot extends its camera to search for suspected improvised explosive devices |type= Demolition vehicle |service= Iraq, Afghanistan |used_by= United States Army |design_date= 2004 |manufacturer= Exponent |production_date= |number= Over 1000 |weight= 32 lb |length= 24 in |width= 19.5 in |height= 13.5 in |crew= One remote operator |armour= |primary_armament= |engine= |engine_power= |vehicle_range= Up to 300 m (Line of sight), 6h on batteries
The Multi-function Agile Remote-Controlled Robot (MARCbot) is a military robot created by Exponent Inc. for the United States Army Rapid Equipping Force.
Design
The MARCbot was designed as a low cost robotic platform used in Iraq for the inspection of suspicious objects. Until its creation when US Army patrols encountered a potential improvised explosive device, they had to either wait for a specialist explosive ordnance disposal team with its specialist / expensive robots, or investigate the suspicious package themselves. Exponent worked with the Rapid Equipping Force to create a low-cost robot for patrol units. Over 1000 MARCbots were eventually created for the US Army for the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. The MARCbot reputedly costs $19,000 - however this is less than other contemporary military robots.
The MARCbot is one of smallest and most commonly used robots in Iraq and looks like a small toy truck with an elevated mast on which a camera is mounted. This camera is used to look, for example, behind doors or through windows without placing human soldiers in danger. It is capable of running for 6 hours on a set of fully charged batteries and was developed with the input of soldiers in Iraq to meet their needs.
Use as an offensive weapon
The MARCbot was the first ground robot to draw blood in Iraq. One unit jury-rigged a Claymore antipersonnel mine on their units. If they suspected an ambush they would send the robot ahead. If an insurgent was seen the Claymore would be detonated.
References
References
- "MARCbot".
- "USMC Ground Robotics Current and Desired Future Capabilities". [[Defense Technical Information Center]].
- "The MARCbot: The Army Program that Revolutionized Robotics for Patrol Warfighters".
- "MARCbot (Multi-function Agile Remote Control Robot)". IEDRobot.com.
- Garreau, Joel. (2007-05-06). "Bots on The Ground". [[Washington Post]].
- (2006-02-17). "War of the future: US to create more 'robot warriors' to save 'precious' American lives". [[Daily Times (Pakistan).
- Singer, P. W.. "Robots at War: The New Battlefield". [[Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars]].
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