Robotic manipulators used on current EOD robotic platforms exhibit very few autonomous capabilities. This lack of
autonomy forces the operator to completely control manipulator movements. With the increasing complexity of robotic
manipulators, this can prove to be a very complex and tedious task. The development of autonomous capabilities for
platform navigation are currently being extensively researched and applied to EOD robots. While autonomous
manipulation has also been researched, this technology has yet to appear in fielded EOD robotic systems. As a result,
there is a need for the exploration and development of manipulator automation within the scope of EOD robotics. In
addition, due to the expendable nature of EOD robotic assets, the addition of this technology needs to add little to the
overall cost of the robotic system. To directly address the need for a low-cost semi-autonomous manipulation capability
for EOD robots, the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) proposes the
Autonomous Robotic Manipulator (ARM). The ARM incorporates several semi-autonomous manipulation behaviors
including point-and-click movement, user-defined distance movement, user-defined angle positioning, memory locations
to save and recall manipulator positions, and macros to memorize and repeat multi-position repetitive manipulator
movements. These semi-autonomous behaviors will decrease an EOD operator's time on target by reducing the
manipulation workload in a user-friendly fashion. This conference paper will detail the background of the project,
design of the prototype, algorithm development, implementation, results, and future work.
An ongoing effort within the US Naval EOD Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) is exploring the integration of
autonomous robotic technologies onto current and future Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robot platforms. The
Cooperative Robotics program, though the support of the Joint Ground Robotics Enterprise (JGRE), has identified
several autonomous robotic technologies useful to the EOD operator, and with the collaboration of academia and
industry is in the process of bringing these technologies to EOD robot operators in the field. Initiated in January 2007,
the Cooperative Robotics program includes the demonstration of various autonomous technologies to the EOD user
community, and the optimization of these technologies for use on small EOD Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) in
relevant environments. Through close interaction with actual EOD operators, these autonomous behaviors will be
designed to work within the bounds of current EOD Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP). This paper will detail
the ongoing and future efforts encompassing the Cooperative Robotics program including: technology demonstrations
of autonomous robotic capabilities, development of autonomous capability requirements based on user focus groups,
optimization of autonomous UGV behaviors to enable use in relevant environments based on current EOD TTP, and
finally the transition of these technologies to current and future EOD robotic systems.
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