LOGAN, UTAH – Autonomous Solutions, Inc., (ASI), a designer and manufacturer of unmanned vehicle systems, software, and components for industrial and military clients, today announced it has been awarded a two-year development contract from the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) in Indian Head, MD, to develop an advanced 3D visualization and tactile feedback system that will improve the ability of EOD technicians to use robotic manipulators when handling and manipulating suspicious objects in the field.

NAVEODTECHDIV is the Joint Service activity supporting all armed services for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).

The system will be deployable on both the next generation EOD robots and as a retrofit package for currently deployed platforms such as the Talon® and Packbot®. The system will use 3D sensing to immerse the user in the most realistic representation of the environment possible. This visualization, along with advanced manipulator control capabilities, will enable the user to quickly and intuitively address the threat. This is in contrast with the current method of using purely two dimensional data from cameras mounted on the robots, which results in a loss of depth perception making object handling difficult for bomb techs and robot operators.

“I’m thrilled that we have been awarded a significant development contract with a government organization that has had such an influential role in saving lives in Iraq”, says Mel Torrie, CEO of Autonomous Solutions. “This provides us with the opportunity to leverage a considerable amount of the technology we have developed in 3D and advanced manipulator controls for our Mobius™ software. Mobius™ has been developed in our industrial division for tasks like semi-autonomous backhoe operation in construction and mining as well as agricultural and other commercial markets. I’m excited that we will be able to leverage this technology for military applications that save lives.”

The ultimate goal of this program is to allow users in dangerous situations to quickly and accurately deal with potentially hazardous items so they can exit the area as soon as possible. Integrating these new capabilities onto the bomb disposal robots through ASI’s JAUS standard communication interface will enable rapid fielding of these potentially life saving capabilities.

Autonomous Solutions is a market leader in vehicle automation, autonomous operations, and JAUS implementation. ASI designs, programs, and manufactures unmanned vehicles for a variety of military and commercial applications. ASI is one of the largest privately held robotics-focused companies in the world—employing world class computer, electrical, and mechanical engineers and support staff.

Autonomous Solutions
27.07.2007