TATRC and TARDEC Collaborative Robots Program
Abstract
The OUSD Joint Robotics Program Office, the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TA TRC) and the US Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) have a joint program to develop a collaborative, multi-mission, robot team. Under the Army SBIR program, TATRC selected Applied Perception, Inc. (API) to receive a phase II robotic patient recovery development contract. The core effort involves building a prototype robotic patient recovery system, which includes a marsupial robotic vehicle pair incorporating teleoperation, semi-autonomous and autonomous control capabilities. TATRC's program goals include demonstrating the feasibility of possible medical applications for the Army Future Combat System (FCS) Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) and the FCS MULE robots. The robot pair act as a team (i.e., collaborate) and are configured to accomplish multiple missions, while sharing sensory information, teleoperator control station communications, and path/sensory analysis guidance. The robot team's second mission capabilities strive to demonstrate collaborative maneuvers for sentry/reconnaissance. This research focuses on sensor selection and integration, sensory software applications assessment and mission specific hardware design and development. The two robots have complementary and interchangeable quick-connect sensor suite hookup capabilities for rapid change-over for alternative mission roles. The designs include automated docking, common electrical and software programming interfaces and the use of JAUS-compliant perception and navigation components. Increased interaction between the robots enhances functionality across assigned operational domains, as well as improves perception and performance during the collaborative missions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 03, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA588214
Entities
People
- Gary Gilbert
- Patrick Rowe
- Robert Watts