Robotics Technology Integration

• SSC San Diego’s robotics program uses CCAT-supported technologies to enhance existing unmanned ground vehicle platforms (UGVs)
• UGVs are currently used in Iraq during potentially hostile operations
• CCAT-supported technologies will be used to provide capabilities with the potential of saving the lives of American soldiers

When you say the word "robot," most people think of a mechanical man, or even sinister machines that aspire to destroy the human race and take over the world. History, however, tells us that the first robot was invented in 1938 as a programmable device used to apply spray paint. Since then, robots have been increasingly used to take over many of the dangerous or tedious jobs once done by humans.





From a military perspective, one very dangerous job is that of an American warfighter patrolling in hostile territory. There are an estimated 5,000 ground robots currently taking on this function in Iraq and saving many lives in the process. In fact, Congress has recently mandated that one third of all U.S. ground military vehicles be unmanned by 2015. In meeting this ambitious goal, current remote-controlled systems will require more functionality with less operator involvement to effectively perform a wide range of missions under varying conditions.

The Robotics Tech Transfer (TechTXFR) project is managed by Estrellina Pacis of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego (SSC San Diego). The objective of this effort is to expedite enhanced capabilities for robots that are currently in the field through transfer of applicable technologies from other government labs, academia, and private industry. The individual technology readiness levels are evaluated by SSC San Diego and further matured, as necessary, for testing in relevant operational environments.

The Robotics TechTXFR team sought out assistance in locating relevant technologies through another Department of Defense-funded program, the Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology (CCAT).

In the winter of 2006, CCAT San Diego provided the Robotics TechTXFR effort with $50,000 for optimizing the navigation and mapping software of man-portable UGVs. "The CCAT funding of our Robotics TechTXFR program helped pave the way for improved functionalities, such as enhanced mobility and situational awareness, and significantly increased autonomy," said Bart Everett, chief engineer for robotics at SSC San Diego. "This allows the robot to become much more of an asset and far less dependent upon the operator."


Shortly thereafter, CCAT San Diego began accepting proposals from technologists who had engineered devices and software products that could potentially provide additional enhancements to the UGVs. In October 2006, CCAT San Diego provided funding and services to five organizations to package their technologies for integration and evaluation on test platforms by SSC San Diego. The grants resulted in varying capabilities, such as visual odometry (vision-assisted navigation) and radiological source identification and tracking. CCAT San Bernardino followed suit in early 2007 by announcing three more awards pursuing application payloads that provide the robots with leave-behind sensors, trip-wire detection, and explosives detection capabilities.

"The CCAT program offers the agility, speed and technical expertise needed to get new technologies into the hands of the Robotics TechXFR program so that UGVs are much more effective in theatre," said Pacis. "This translates into more mechanical soldiers on the front lines and fewer American lives lost."