ROBOT RECONNAISSANCE Technicians with the California National Guard’s 217th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company use the Talon Robot to do reconnaissance from a safe distance, July 10 during annual training at Camp Roberts, CA. “The robot is pretty much an extension of ourselves so we can manipulate the situation and stay safe,” said SPC James Peabody, a Soldier attached to the unit. Currently, there are more than 3,500 small tactical robots in theater, and the Army is in the process of transitioning new technology by upgrading small, tactical cave- and building-clearing robots with new sensors and software packages to increase their autonomy. (Photo by PFC Brianne Roudebush, 69th Public Affairs Detachment)