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Marathon Targets / Press Releases / 2011-01-27 Marathon Targets Expands into New 'Smart Target' Development and Testing FacilityNew facility accelerates production and allows 24/7 testing of robotsSYDNEY, Australia, January 27, 2011 -- Marathon Targets (www.marathon-tagets.com), the world leader in smart targets, has relocated to an 800 sq.m facility in Sydney's Inner West. The facility, a Marrickville brick warehouse, has been modified to permit the continuous 24/7 testing of smart targets - robots that look, move and behave like humans. The targets are autonomous - they do not require dedicated operators to control them, and they communicate amongst themselves. For example, when one target is shot, the other targets immediately scatter and run for cover. They are armoured below the waist and can move up to 16 km/h - running speed for soldiers in combat gear. To view targets in motion please visit http://marathon-targets.com/videos.html.
"It's a big step forward," said Marathon CEO Dr. Alex Brooks. "In addition to housing our growing R&D staff, we now have sufficient room to test multiple robots in continuous operation around the clock. This will be essential for our quality assurance processes." Marathon, recently named Australia's top technology startup by Tech 23, was awarded a contract by the US Marine Corps for up to $50 million in smart targets. "The new facility has already enabled us to improve our manufacturing processes and ramp up production" said co-founder and CTO Dr. Alex Makarenko. "At the same time, the space really allows us to push the bounds of robotics technology - critical in the development of future capabilities." The prize money from the Tech 23 award provided by the NSW state government was instrumental in establishing the facility. "We hear time and again that there is no substitute for live fire training," said COO Dr. Tobias Kaupp. "Our mission is to make that training as realistic and challenging as possible. The new development and test facility will help us accomplish that mission." Marathon Targets has offices in Sydney, Australia, Huntsville, Alabama, and a European office in Toulouse, France.
About Marathon TargetsMarathon Targets makes the world's first smart targets for live-fire training. The company's target robots enable armed forces to train with an unprecedented level of realism. Autonomous operation is enabled by cutting-edge robotic technology and a scalable system architecture. For more information about Marathon Targets, and a brief video of the robots on a live-fire range, please visit www.marathon-targets.com.
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Marathon Targets / Press Releases / 2011-01-27 |
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