The ARTS is a robotic utility tractor built on a standard, light construction tractor, the Posi-Track™ MD70 (manufactured by ASV, Inc. of Grand Rapids, Minnesota). ARTS is designed for remote operation in high risk environments and has been used for hazardous material handling, mine clearing operations, and cleanup of unexploded ordinance. Other applications include:
• Fire fighting
• natural disaster cleanup
• foul weather operations

TRACTOR FUNCTIONS - ARTS provides remote operations of all tractor functions, including engine start/stop, propulsion, lights, and all tool operations. The standard configuration includes two fixed video cameras, and the control system is equipped to handle up to four cameras - two of which can have pan/tilt mounts. A pair of digital radios is used to transmit command signals from the Operator Control Unit (OCU) to the vehicle, and an independent transmitter/receiver pair communicates audio and video from the vehicle to the OCU.

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT - Loader arms with an industry standard quick-attachment plate accommodate a variety of optional tools, including buckets, mowers, and lifting equipment. The Posi-Track™ can also be outfitted with a remote control backhoe for digging. Other attachments which do not require special conversion for remote operation, e.g. forklift on loader bucket, are also available.

ARTS COMPONENTS - ARTS consists of just two components, the MD-70 tractor and the Operator Control Unit (OCU). The MD-70 specifications are provided below. The OCU is housed in a heavy duty, internally shock-isolated case. The OCU antennas are mounted on a portable tripod, which can be conveniently stowed on top of the tractor during transport. Emergency Stop buttons located on either side of the tractor will immediately shut down all tractor functions, including the engine, if pushed. The tractor includes a pintle hitch, which is remotely detachable.

MD-70 SPECIFICATIONS
• 4-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engine;
• tractor weight is approximately 6,500 pounds (depending on equipment selected)
• 18-inch wide Kevlar-reinforced rubber tracks;
• tracks have 3,000+ square inches of contact area, ground contact pressure of approximately 2 psi
• three auxiliary hydraulic circuits;s
• a 540-RPM Power Take Off (PTO);
• NEMA-4 (water tight) enclosures for electronics;
• modular configuration for rapid component replacement.

OPERATOR CONTROL UNIT - is packaged in a weather-tight, shock-isolated enclosure. The OCU is comprised of a radio for transmitting command signals to the tractor, a receiver for audio/video signals transmitted from the tractor, a joystick control box, and a television monitor with built-in videocassette recorder. Additionally, the OCU contains operator manuals and calibration cables.