RoMeLa Advanced Machining and Manufacturing Robotics Facility at UCLA
Abstract
Summary The Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) at UCLA is requesting funds from DURIP to develop an advanced machining and manufacturing robotics shop. The proposed facility would allow for the fabrication of advanced mechanical designs and rapid prototyping to continue RoMeLa’s cutting edge research and development in robotics. RoMeLa has been at the forefront of humanoid robotics for the past decade. Many of RoMeLa’s past robotic projects have been recipients of Department of Defense (DoD) funding, resulting in successful, high impact robots such as THOR and THOR-OP, humanoid robots designed to provide aid in disaster relief situations. THOR-OP placed in the top 8 in the first round of the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) and won “Best in Task” for the valve task. Both THOR and THOR-OP will compete in the finals of the DRC in June of 2015. Also developed at RoMeLa, the autonomous vehicle Odin from Team Victor Tango was an autonomously driven SUV that placed third in the DARPA Urban Challenge in 2007. DARwIn-OP is a small humanoid robot which is now an immensely popular platform for research and education. DARwIn-OP is also the World Champion in the international autonomous robot soccer competition, RoboCup kid size division four years in a row. CHARLI is considered the United States first adult size humanoid robot, which lead to the development of SAFFiR a humanoid robot for fire fighting on navy ships, sponsored by ONR. All of these past robots were designed and fabricated when RoMeLa was at Virginia Tech. RoMeLa has since moved to UCLA and is in the process of reestablishing the lab space. We have the same creative minds (under the leadership of the PI, Dr. Dennis Hong), the same enthusiasm, the same expertise, and the same exciting projects and ongoing research. In order to continue producing the innovative robotic creations that RoMeLa is known for, we need to accrue similar resources that RoMeLa acquired at Virginia Tech. Currently the lab is working on new and exciting projects which include; ARPIOS, a high functioning lightweight humanoid robot; a new version of THOR-OP, a humanoid robot competing in the DARPA Robotics Challenge finals; and a hexapod robot for demining and ordinance removal applications. We plan to acquire a CNC Mill, CNC Lathe, Wire EDM, and a 3D printer through funds from DURIP. These projects all require advanced machining and rapid prototyping facilities in order to come to fruition.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512868
Entities
People
- Randall O Reilly
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California, Los Angeles