Jim Thielman, University News Service
Nina Shepherd, Institutional Relations
Imagine small robots scanning the inside of a building where a fire or hostage situation has occurred, paving the way for rescuers and limiting the loss of life. University of Minnesota computer scientist Nikolaos Papanikolopoulos demonstrated how these small, inexpensive robots jump, maneuver and transmit information during a showcase for the soup can-sized creations held on. Monday, December 6, in Kolthoff Hall on the University's East Bank.
The nine-ounce robots--called "scouts"--are powered by nine lithium batteries and are durable enough to be launched by a larger robot through glass. Scouts contain small computers that can transmit audio and video to remote operators; they can also relay other information, such as the presence of dangerous chemicals and lethal gases.
The robots are designed to function as tools in an array of police and military siutations, including defense surveillance, minesweeping and urban warfare. At roughly $200 each, the devices could inexpensively minimize the risk of injury and death to humans.
In conjunction with Eden Prairie-based MTS Systems, and Minneapolis-based Architecture Technology Corporation and Honeywell, University researchers from computer science and engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical and computer engineering worked 18 months on the project.
The robots are the result of a three-year project funded by a $4.9 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the central research arm of the Defense Department. The contract, which established the Center for Distributed Robotics in the University's computer science and engineering department, is one of the largest ever awarded to the University by DARPA.
Original article by:
Jim Thielman, University News Service
Nina Shepherd, Institutional Relations