By Kalwinder KaurSep 17 2012
Eight advanced robotics projects have been recognized by NASA. These projects will aid agency's future missions to support Obama administration's National Robotics Initiative. These projects will facilitate the development and deployment of robots by experts in the U.S. and even for operations like space exploration.
Robots are capable of working alongside or operate in sync with human beings under various missions. Co-robotics work in tune with humans to promote efficiency, performance and safety, enabling the U.S. to have high competence and position in aerospace technology and sophisticated manufacturing.
NASA has selected the following proposals for development:
- Active Skins for Simplified Tactile Feedback in Robotics
- Toward Human Avatar Robots for Co-Exploration of Hazardous Environments
- Actuators for Safe, Strong and Efficient Humanoid Robots
- A Novel Powered Leg Prosthesis Simulator for Sensing and Control Development
- Long-range Prediction of Non-Geometric Terrain Hazards for Reliable Planetary Rover Traverse
- Manipulating Flexible Materials Using Sparse Coding
- Whole-body Telemanipulation of the Dreamer Humanoid Robot on Rough Terrains Using Hand Exoskeleton (EXODREAM)
- Long, Thin Continuum Robots for Space Applications
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is responsible for solicitation and peer review selection process for these NASA awards. Award ranges extend from $150,000 to $1 M, with $2.7 M of total NASA investment.
With extended expertise of creating advanced robotic systems for space exploration use, NASA has achieved several technological collaborations with a number of renowned organizations.
With recent rapid advances in robotics technology, advanced assistive systems and devices for varied industries have emerged.
Forming a part of National Robotics Initiative, NSF, NASA, the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have organized a joint solicitation for helping modern roboticists use new global technology economy. The federal agencies are collaborating to enable better exchange of ideas and technologies which will be valuable for the U.S. population. This initiative focuses on fostering innovative collaborative research, integrating computer and systems science with social, behavioral and economic sciences, and mechanical, electrical and materials engineering for meeting the complex challenges existing in class of human-assisting co-robotics.
Source: http://www.nasa.gov/
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