Development of a Modular Robotic Architecture

Abstract

The objective of this project is to develop the hardware and software components for constructing and controlling reconfigurable, modular robots (MODBOTs). While numerous robotic control architectures currently exist, few offer the degree of flexibility and modularity that is required to support rapid integration and prototyping of evolving (processor and sensor) technology into demonstrable systems. The proposed architecture emphasizes standard electrical and mechanical hardware interfaces between distributed processing modules, and standard software libraries that provide communication services and process control across a wide range of processors. The product is a standardized set of tools for building robotic systems that can be easily reconfigured as project requirements and technology change. The first-year effort is concentrating on specification and design of the architecture, while the second- and (potential) third-year efforts will pursue implementation and demonstration of the MODBOT concept as applied to an actual application, such as physical indoor security. modular robots control station mobile security robots remote platform independent modules

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA248491

Entities

People

  • R. P. Smurlo
  • R. T. Laird
  • S. R. Timmer

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Application Software
  • C Programming Language
  • Collision Avoidance
  • Command And Control
  • Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductors
  • Computer Programming
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Data Links
  • Local Area Networks
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Programming Languages
  • Software Design
  • Software Development
  • Software Development Tools
  • Unmanned Ground Vehicles
  • Unmanned Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Robotics and Automation.
  • Software Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
  • AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
  • Autonomy