Human-Robot Manipulation for Complex Operations

The use of improvised explosive devices on our forces has been increasing at an alarming rate. And though there has been significant technological progress to combat this threat, more needs to be done. One of the most effective ways to combat IEDs is with teleoperated robotic technology. Current technology is good, but it presents two problems: 1) Remote control of the robot arm using existing Operator Control Unit (OCU) technology is often unintuitive and cumbersome, and 2) for more complex manipulations the operator may require force (or haptic) feedback. Energid Technologies proposes developing an enhanced OCU that is more accurate and easier to use than any existing technology. It will provide robust, accurate end-effector control (using Energid’s patented Actin control software) and a novel haptic feedback device that presents force feedback to the operator using magnetic force. During Phase I, we will focus on the UGV PackBot platform developed by iRobot, one of our partners on this SBIR.