The concept of autonomous ground-robots is by bringing to the military effort a decade of experience working on planetary rovers for NASA. Much of more DARPA previous work had involved some the size of tanks, large vehicle, and had addressed successfully technical specifications and requirements to the point where they could be spun off to the development community.
The planetary rover technology was promising and NASA was doing what they could, but DARPA was the place to develop the smaller idea vehicles for military applications. It spent the majority times to formulate a new program that ultimately would be called TMR (Tactical Mobile Robotics). TMR’s primary goals were to make it mobile for fit into backpack, urban terrain and travel 100 meter per operator intervention. So it was an order of smaller magnitude and an order of smarter magnitude. We came through on the mobility part pretty well and go things moving in the right direction on autonomy.
The military was interested in small robotics air, ground and under water, in portable formats that could fit into areas a human could not, areas that would be left unguarded by the enemy in urban environment. It would separate the objectives of the program into the operational focus was to revolutionize urban warfare by penetrating denied areas with robots.
There are six primary imperatives for general objectives that crucial to making tactical robot functional:
1. Response to lost communication.
2. Tumble recovery, the robot must be invertible.
3. Anti handling, the robot must feature a method of keeping the enemy from picking it up while not endangering innocent civilians, especially children.
4. Self location, the robot should fuse GPS, odometry and visual inputs to determine its location.
5. Complex obstacle negotiation.
6. Self cleaning, the robots must have traceability to clear the dust and mud, etc.
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DARPA Killer Robots
While Asimo’s ability to walk up and down stairs was a breakthrough in robot mobility, DARPA has been pushing the envelope to develop robots that are able to autonomously and safely navigate a battlefield in combat.
Robots have been part of DARPA culture almost from day one. The agency worked to improve UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), and then known as remotely piloted vehicles, used for low altitude tactical reconnaissance over enemy territory.
DARPA work in AI (Artificial Intelligence) technologies in the 1970s spurred an interest in robotics applications, especially in academia, but the policy at DARPA itself at the time was not to emphasize robotics. Even so, the agency continued to support robotics research at Stanford and MIT through its information IPTO (Information Processing Techniques Office).
DARPA took a more direct role as it began work on a family of autonomous ground, air and sea vehicles known as the killer robots in the early 1980s. Killer Robots did lay the groundwork for DARPA’s future work while never achieving program status, as did the Strategic Computing program, a major program created in the same time frame to fund all DARPA work then rapidly evolving field of computers.
The Strategic Computing Initiative of the 1980s produced its share of disruptive technology in developing reduced instruction set processors, RAID disks, robotics, specialized graphic engines, and AI tools which are now currently mainstream. The investments by DARPA in this technology in their early and formative years have paid rich dividends.
Various DARPA efforts (including Killer Robots) become part of the new TTO Tactical Technology Office) Smart weapons program (SWP) to develop a modular family of autonomous weapons, smart. Advances in computer technology and software such as Automatic Target Recognition) were belief to finally have made a true autonomous loitering weapon possible. The size, power demands, weight, and capability of computers had been perhaps the greatest limitation on reality catching.
Robots have been part of DARPA culture almost from day one. The agency worked to improve UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), and then known as remotely piloted vehicles, used for low altitude tactical reconnaissance over enemy territory.
DARPA work in AI (Artificial Intelligence) technologies in the 1970s spurred an interest in robotics applications, especially in academia, but the policy at DARPA itself at the time was not to emphasize robotics. Even so, the agency continued to support robotics research at Stanford and MIT through its information IPTO (Information Processing Techniques Office).
DARPA took a more direct role as it began work on a family of autonomous ground, air and sea vehicles known as the killer robots in the early 1980s. Killer Robots did lay the groundwork for DARPA’s future work while never achieving program status, as did the Strategic Computing program, a major program created in the same time frame to fund all DARPA work then rapidly evolving field of computers.
The Strategic Computing Initiative of the 1980s produced its share of disruptive technology in developing reduced instruction set processors, RAID disks, robotics, specialized graphic engines, and AI tools which are now currently mainstream. The investments by DARPA in this technology in their early and formative years have paid rich dividends.
Various DARPA efforts (including Killer Robots) become part of the new TTO Tactical Technology Office) Smart weapons program (SWP) to develop a modular family of autonomous weapons, smart. Advances in computer technology and software such as Automatic Target Recognition) were belief to finally have made a true autonomous loitering weapon possible. The size, power demands, weight, and capability of computers had been perhaps the greatest limitation on reality catching.
The robot soldier is coming
The Pentagon predicts that robots will be a major army force in the American military in less than a decade, hunting and killing the enemies in the wars. Robots are a crucial part of the Army’s effort to rebuild itself as a century of 21st fighting force, and a $127 billions project called Future Combat Systems is the biggest military contract in American history.
Robot soldiers will increasingly think, see, and react like humans. At the starting, they will be remote controlled, looking and acting like lethal toy trucks. They may take many shapes as the technology develops. And because their intelligence grows, so will their autonomy.
The robot soldier has been planned for 30 years. And the engineers who involve in this project say it may take at least 30 more years to realize in full. The military have to answer tough questions if it intends to trust robots with the responsibility of distinguishing friend from foe.
Robots in combat as envisioned by their builders may look and move like hummingbirds, tractors or tanks, cockroaches or crickets, even like a humans. They may become swarms of smart dust with the development of nanotechnology. The military robot is concerning for gather intelligence, haul munitions, search buildings or blow them up.
Several hundred robots are scouring caves in Afghanistan, digging up roadside bombs in Iraq, and serving as armed sentries at depots of weapon. An armed version of the bomb disposal robot is in Baghdad, capable of firing 1000 rounds a minute. The robot will be the first thinking machine of its kind to take up a front line infantry position though controlled by a soldier with a laptop. Within a decade the ground vehicles and a third of deep strike aircraft in the military may become robotic. It is mandated by Congress of United States, so it will spend many billion of dollars on military robots.
Robot soldiers will increasingly think, see, and react like humans. At the starting, they will be remote controlled, looking and acting like lethal toy trucks. They may take many shapes as the technology develops. And because their intelligence grows, so will their autonomy.
The robot soldier has been planned for 30 years. And the engineers who involve in this project say it may take at least 30 more years to realize in full. The military have to answer tough questions if it intends to trust robots with the responsibility of distinguishing friend from foe.
Robots in combat as envisioned by their builders may look and move like hummingbirds, tractors or tanks, cockroaches or crickets, even like a humans. They may become swarms of smart dust with the development of nanotechnology. The military robot is concerning for gather intelligence, haul munitions, search buildings or blow them up.
Several hundred robots are scouring caves in Afghanistan, digging up roadside bombs in Iraq, and serving as armed sentries at depots of weapon. An armed version of the bomb disposal robot is in Baghdad, capable of firing 1000 rounds a minute. The robot will be the first thinking machine of its kind to take up a front line infantry position though controlled by a soldier with a laptop. Within a decade the ground vehicles and a third of deep strike aircraft in the military may become robotic. It is mandated by Congress of United States, so it will spend many billion of dollars on military robots.
Developing Military Robotic Vehicles
Since autonomous machines in the military became possible in the mid of 1980s, when processor computer became faster and faster. The development of improved sensor technology in the 199s allowed machines to pick up more information about their environment. Autonomous systems now can keep track of their whereabouts using global-positioning satellite links, and talk to commanders and comrades through wireless links that shut off automatically if the signal is in danger of being intercepted.
The first unmanned military vehicles in the early 1980s by the Defense Department of USA were huge vans the size of UPD delivery trucks, filled with hundreds of pounds of clunky computers that could barely navigate at 5 miles an hour in relatively flat terrain. For the comparison, Stryker can navigate through desert and forests environments, or drive on the road at top speeds of 60 miles an hour.
Now they have the basic functioning down, and they are trying to make it smarter at something or better. They have tested a four-wheeled robot called Short for Mobile Detection Assessment and Response System (MDARS), a robotic watchdog that patrols the Westminster lab’s snow covered back yard looking for intruders. It drives several feet, apparently puzzled, eyes a parking sign and halts, until a human attendant reprograms MDARS to move on.
Compared with a human, MDARS is not really that smart. Developing a robot is like raising children. Even Stryker’s most movement rudimentary requires complex calculations that must be taught to its brain, using hundreds of thousands of mathematical algorithms and programming codes. When it hits a fork on the road, it selects the gravel route instead of the dirt road. When it finds itself trapped in a cul-de-sac, it backs up to re-evaluate alternative paths. Stryker in the future will learn more tactical behaviors mimicking a human’s, like running and hiding in behind hills or trees in the presence of enemies.
The first unmanned military vehicles in the early 1980s by the Defense Department of USA were huge vans the size of UPD delivery trucks, filled with hundreds of pounds of clunky computers that could barely navigate at 5 miles an hour in relatively flat terrain. For the comparison, Stryker can navigate through desert and forests environments, or drive on the road at top speeds of 60 miles an hour.
Now they have the basic functioning down, and they are trying to make it smarter at something or better. They have tested a four-wheeled robot called Short for Mobile Detection Assessment and Response System (MDARS), a robotic watchdog that patrols the Westminster lab’s snow covered back yard looking for intruders. It drives several feet, apparently puzzled, eyes a parking sign and halts, until a human attendant reprograms MDARS to move on.
Compared with a human, MDARS is not really that smart. Developing a robot is like raising children. Even Stryker’s most movement rudimentary requires complex calculations that must be taught to its brain, using hundreds of thousands of mathematical algorithms and programming codes. When it hits a fork on the road, it selects the gravel route instead of the dirt road. When it finds itself trapped in a cul-de-sac, it backs up to re-evaluate alternative paths. Stryker in the future will learn more tactical behaviors mimicking a human’s, like running and hiding in behind hills or trees in the presence of enemies.
Types of Robot based on the Function
Just as there are multiple tool boxes, multiple robotic formats exist that are suited to different application requirements:
SCARA robots are best used in dispensing, pick and place and gang-picking applications for assembly and packaging where loads are moderate and high precision accuracy is not the top priority – for instance, in assembling cell phone to place covers or buttons in the right location. SCARA robots are appropriate for plane-to-plane moves and have a small footprint, making them an ideal choice for manufacturers with space constraints.
Delta robots also are useful in pick-and-place applications for assembly and packaging when the load is light – typically less than one kilogram – like candy or lids for jars, and they are capable of operating at very high speeds. Delta robots are ideal for plane-to-plane moves. However, they are only able to move up and down relatively short distances in the Z axis – typically less than 100 millimeters.
Articulated arm robots are ideal for applications with a large work envelope and heavier payloads. In addition to plane-to-plane moves, they are also well suited to painting or welding applications where movement over and under objects is necessary.
Cartesian robots are frequently used in everything from life sciences application to cartooning, dispensing, palletizing and large assembly projects. A Cartesian robot is a good choice for any system that has clearly defined x, y, and z axes.
SCARA robots are best used in dispensing, pick and place and gang-picking applications for assembly and packaging where loads are moderate and high precision accuracy is not the top priority – for instance, in assembling cell phone to place covers or buttons in the right location. SCARA robots are appropriate for plane-to-plane moves and have a small footprint, making them an ideal choice for manufacturers with space constraints.
Delta robots also are useful in pick-and-place applications for assembly and packaging when the load is light – typically less than one kilogram – like candy or lids for jars, and they are capable of operating at very high speeds. Delta robots are ideal for plane-to-plane moves. However, they are only able to move up and down relatively short distances in the Z axis – typically less than 100 millimeters.
Articulated arm robots are ideal for applications with a large work envelope and heavier payloads. In addition to plane-to-plane moves, they are also well suited to painting or welding applications where movement over and under objects is necessary.
Cartesian robots are frequently used in everything from life sciences application to cartooning, dispensing, palletizing and large assembly projects. A Cartesian robot is a good choice for any system that has clearly defined x, y, and z axes.
Technology and Market Trends of Robot Effect
For years, robots have represented the cutting edge in manufacturing. And until recently, they have been viable only for manufacturers with complex needs and big budgets. But today, robotic solutions are becoming more versatile and easier to attain. They are a practical solution for a broadening range of manufacturing applications – from vision-directed, high speed pick and place packaging, to high precision automotive assembly and semiconductor handling.
Technology and market trends are helping bring robots to the forefront of machine design, including:
• Flexibility demands – constantly shifting consumer preferences put increased pressure on manufacturers to offer a greater variety of product styles, shapes and sizes. A programmable robot that can perform different tasks with quick changeover helps end users produce this variety for less money and using less space.
• Worker safety imperative – manufacturers around the world are increasingly focused on corporate responsibly, including making sure manufacturing operations protect the company’s most asset – its workers.
• Declining hardware costs – over the past 10 years, more robot sourcing options have entered a competitive market, helping lower the cost of the hardware used for robots.
• Quality improvements – the increase in robot sourcing options also has helped drive improvements in the quality of the hardware and controls available.
Technology and market trends are helping bring robots to the forefront of machine design, including:
• Flexibility demands – constantly shifting consumer preferences put increased pressure on manufacturers to offer a greater variety of product styles, shapes and sizes. A programmable robot that can perform different tasks with quick changeover helps end users produce this variety for less money and using less space.
• Worker safety imperative – manufacturers around the world are increasingly focused on corporate responsibly, including making sure manufacturing operations protect the company’s most asset – its workers.
• Declining hardware costs – over the past 10 years, more robot sourcing options have entered a competitive market, helping lower the cost of the hardware used for robots.
• Quality improvements – the increase in robot sourcing options also has helped drive improvements in the quality of the hardware and controls available.
History of the Robot
Robotics is based ob two enabling technologies: telemanipulators and the ability of numerical control of machines.
Telemanipulators are remotely controlled machines which usually consist of an arm and a gripper. The movement of arm and gripper follow the instructions the human gives through his control device. First telemanipulators have been used to deal with radio-active material.
Numeric control allows controlling machines very precisely in relation to a given coordinate system. It was first used in 1952 at the MIT and lead to the first programming language for machines called APT, Automatic Program Tools.
The combination of both of these techniques leads to the first programmable telemanipulator. The first industrial robot using these principles was installed in 1961. These are the robots one knows from industrial facilities like car construction plant.
The development of mobile robots was driven by the desire to automate transportation in production processes and autonomous transport systems. The former lead to driver-less transport system used on factory floors to move objects to different points in the production processes in the late seventies.
Humanoid robots are developed since 1975 when Wabot-I was presented in Japan. The current Wabot-III already has some minor cognitive capabilities. Another humanoid robot is Cog, developed in the MIT-AI-Lab since 1994. Honda’s humanoid robot became well known in the public when presented back in 1999.
Telemanipulators are remotely controlled machines which usually consist of an arm and a gripper. The movement of arm and gripper follow the instructions the human gives through his control device. First telemanipulators have been used to deal with radio-active material.
Numeric control allows controlling machines very precisely in relation to a given coordinate system. It was first used in 1952 at the MIT and lead to the first programming language for machines called APT, Automatic Program Tools.
The combination of both of these techniques leads to the first programmable telemanipulator. The first industrial robot using these principles was installed in 1961. These are the robots one knows from industrial facilities like car construction plant.
The development of mobile robots was driven by the desire to automate transportation in production processes and autonomous transport systems. The former lead to driver-less transport system used on factory floors to move objects to different points in the production processes in the late seventies.
Humanoid robots are developed since 1975 when Wabot-I was presented in Japan. The current Wabot-III already has some minor cognitive capabilities. Another humanoid robot is Cog, developed in the MIT-AI-Lab since 1994. Honda’s humanoid robot became well known in the public when presented back in 1999.
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