The Army is currently developing a huge robot vehicle designed to move around on its own without someone directly controlling it. The Multifunction Utility Logistics and Equipment, or MULE, is a 2.5-ton, six-wheeled monster, loaded up with machine guns and able to carry a bunch of equipment to soldiers wherever they need to go.

The challenge is getting the MULE to recognize the terrain around it, keeping it from comically bumping into someone's house and knocking it over on the way down the street. It's got GPS and cameras and sensors and all the doodads that you'd expect on a vehicle like this, but they're still working the kinks out, so soldiers will have to keep schlepping their own equipment around for the time being. — Adam Frucci

Defense News, via Danger Room