Search Results

Autonomous Navigation for military unmanned ground vehicles requires the ability to act without human intervention in increasingly difficult environments such as off-road terrain and military operations in urban terrain (MOUT). One method to accomplish this is through the combination of a local perception sensor suite with an a priori route planner and a local guidance algorithm that provides an automated obstacle detection, classification, and avoidance capability. This paper will detail the feasibility of this approach based on preliminary test results.

Many hazardous material handling needs exist in remote unstructured environments. Currently these operations are accomplished using personnel in direct contact with the hazards. A safe and cost effective alternative to this approach is the use of intelligent robotic systems for the excavation, handling, and transport of hazardous materials. A robotic system designed for these tasks has been developed at Sandia National Laboratories which successfully integrates computer controlled manipulation and mobility to deliver these needed robotic capabilities in the field. The mobile robot, RETRVIR, or REmote TeleRobotic Vehicle for Intelligent Remediation, incorporates recent developments in the integration of sensors, advanced computing environments, and graphical user interfaces. The addition of these elements in the control of remotely operated equipment have shown great promise for reducing the cost of remote systems while providing faster and safer operations.