Autonomous Robotic Manipulation (ARM)
Abstract
The Autonomous Robotic Manipulation (ARM) program developed advanced robotic technologies that enabled autonomous (unmanned) mobile platforms to manipulate objects without human control or intervention. A key objective was intelligent control of manipulators to independently perform subtasks over a broad range of domains of interest to the warfighter, thereby reducing operator workload, time on target, training time, bandwidth, and hardware complexity. Former manipulation systems had many limitations. For example, while they performed well in certain mission environments, they had yet to demonstrate proficiency and flexibility across multiple mission environments; they required burdensome human interaction and the full attention of the operator; and the time required to complete tasks generally exceeded military users' desires. ARM created manipulators with a high degree of autonomy capable of serving multiple military purposes across a wide variety of application domains to include, but not limited to, counter-improvised explosive devices, countermine, search and rescue, weapons support, checkpoint and access control, explosive ordnance disposal, and combat casualty care (including battlefield extraction). ARM enabled autonomous manipulation systems to surpass the performance level of remote manipulation systems that are controlled directly by a human operator.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Source ID
- 146b26ad293706db3bc5b05da3e251db